n 


SETTLKMKNT  or  JAMKSTOWK,  in  Virginia.      The  fir 

manent  English  sett  foment  in  North  America,  commenced 
by  105  persons,  13th  of  May,  1607.     Seepage  13. 


LANDINW  OF  THE  PILGRIMS  at  Plymouth,  Dec.  21d,  1620. 
The  first  settlement  in  the  New- England  States,  commenced 
by  John  Carver,  and  ahoul  twenty  others  from  Plymouth, 
England.  Page  28. 


:v 

*•« 


Death  of  King  Philip,  August  12,  1676.     Page  84. 


Major  Waldron  falling  upon  his  own  sword,  1696.  P.  94. 


Punishment  of  a  m'm  from  Billerica,  who  purchased  a  gun 
from  a  British  soldier  in  Boston,  March,  1775.    P.  161. 


BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON.     The  first  blood  spilt  in  the  Amer. 
icon  Revolution,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775.     P.  162. 


Ticonderoga  taken  by  the  Americans,  May  10, 1776.  p.  164. 


Sergeant  Jasper  rescuing  the  American  flag  at  Charleston, 
June  26th,  1776.     P.  177. 


CAPTURE  OF  ANDRE,  the  British  Spy,  at  Tarrytown,  by  three 
Militiamen,  2lst  of  September,  1780.     P.  219 


GKNEKAL  WAYNE'S  VICTORY  over  the  Indians,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Miami,  in  1794.     P.  245. 


-J-V,  v- 


Major  Crogharta  defence  at  Lower  Sandusky,  Ohio,  August 
2dj  1813.    Page  283. 


Death  of  Tecumseth,  Oct.  5th,  1813.    Page  290 


.•• 


Buffalo.  JV.  F.   Burned  by  the  British,  December  30th,  1813 


Battle  of  Plattsburg  and  MacdonougKs  Victory ',  Sept.  llfA, 
1814. 


LANDING  OF  GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE  at  Castle  Garden,  in  New- 
York,  August  IGth,  1824.    Page  401. 


COL.  DANIEL  BOON,  the  first  settler  of  Kentucky,  exploring  the 
country  in  1769.    Page  459. 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MARIETTA,  the  first  town  of  importance  settled 
in  the  state  of  Ohio,  April  1788.    Page  467. 


FATHER  HENNEPIN-,  a  Catholic  Missionary  from  Canada,  sail- 
ing down  the  Mississippi,  in  1680.  The  first  European  who 
passed  down  this  river :  settlement  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 
Page  475—478. 


FIRST  BUILDING  AT  DETROIT,  was  a  fortification  erected  by  a 
party  of  French  soldiers,  about  the  year  1680.  Pages  480, 481. 


Sergeant  Major  Champ's  Adventure.    P,  499. 


Adventure  of  Gen.  Putnam.    Page  505 


General  Atkinson's  victory  over  BLACK  HAWK  on  the  banks  oj 
r.fcl  1833. 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 


OP  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


EMBRACING 


THE  WHOLE  PERIOD, 


PROM   THE 


EARLIEST   DISCOVERIES, 


DOWN  TO 


THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


GIVING    A    DESCRIPTION   OP   THE   WESTERN   COUNTRY,    ITS   SOIb» 
SETTLEMENTS,  INCREASE  OP  POPULATION,  fcC. 


IN  THREE  PARTS. 


BY   C.   B.   TAYLOR. 


NEW-YORK: 

PUBLISHED  BY  EZRA  STROWG, 

Stereotyped  by  James  Conner. 

1836. 


I 


Southern  District  of  blew-  York,  sa. 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  21st  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1830,  in  the 
65th  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Ezra  Strong,  of 
Ihe  said  District,  hath  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereuf 
tic  claims  as  proprietor,  in  the  words  followin-g,  to  wit: 

"A  Universal  History  of  the  United  States  of  America;  embracing  the  whoh 
period,  from  the  earliest  discoveries,  down  to  the  present  time.  Giving  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  Western  country,  its  soil,  settlements,  increase  of  population,  tic.  In 
Three  Parts.  By  C.  B.  Taylor." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled  "  An  act  for 
the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  a:ni 
Books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  time  therein  men- 
tioned.'' And  also  to  an  act,  entitled,  "An  act,  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled, 
an  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts, 
and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  th;ies  tiierrin 
mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving, 
and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

FRED.  J.  BETTS, 
Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of  New- York. 


PREFACE. 


IN  collecting  materials  for  this  work,  the  author  has, 
as  may  be  seen  from  the  copiousness  of  his  table  of  con- 
tents, studied  brevity  of  style.  This,  from  the  multi- 
plicity of  subjects  contained  in  the  volume,  he  deemed 
essentially  necessary.  Another  important  design  of  the 
author  has  been  to  exhibit,  in  a  strong  point  of  light, 
those  principles  of  political  and  religious  freedom,  to 
secure  which  many  of  our  ancestors  sacrificed  their 
homes,  their  fortunes,  and  even  their  li ves. 

We  cannot  but  admire  the  courage,  perseverance,  and 
virtues  of  our  progenitors,  when  we  contemplate  the  ob- 
stacles surmounted  by  them,  the  hardships  endured,  and 
the  unshrinking  firmness  of  purpose  which  turned  a 
wilderness  into  fruitful  fields,  established  a  government 
of  equal  laws,  and  provided  an  asylum  for  the  oppressed 
of  all  nations. 

Having  learned,  at  least  to  some  extent,  to  appreciate 
the  value  of  those  blessings  which  have  'descended  to 
the  posterity  of  the  pilgrims,  the  author  would  now  con- 
tribute his  mite  for  the  benefit  of  the  present  and  future 
generations. 

This  work  is  designed  for  a  family  and  school  book ; 
and  is  also  intended  as  a  substitute  for  those  more  volu- 
minous works,  that  find  their  way  to  the  few  only  whose 
resources  are  sufficient  to  procure  them.  The  size  of 
the  type  on,  which  this  volume  is  printed,  has  enabled 

P185IS3 


4  PREFACE. 

the  publisher  to  present  to  his  readers  more  matter  than 
was  originally  intended  for  the  work  ;  and  to  give  in  a 
duodecimo  form,  the  quantity  of  reading  commonly  found 
in  an  octavo  volume.  Although  presented  to  the  public 
in  a  condensed  form,  it  will  be  found  to  contain  the  most 
important  events  in  the  general  history  of  this  country. 

The  comparative  population,  wealth,  resources,  and 
progressive  improvement  in  the  states  and  territories, 
have  been  particularly  noticed,  and  will  be  found  a  source 
of  useful  information  to  those  who  may  design  to  change 
their  present  places  of  abode. 

One  entire  chapter  of  this  work  is  devoted  to  a  view 
of  the  western  states  and  territories, giving  a  description 
of  the  face  of  the  country,  the  soil  and  productions,  situ- 
ation and  extent,  rivers,  increase  of  population,  settle- 
ments, &c.  This  is  designed  by  the  author  to  convey  a 
useful  table  of  information  to  all  of  his  readers,  but  is 
inserted  more  particularly  for  the  benefit  of  those  who 
intend  to  emigrate. 

C.  B.  T. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Birth,  Education,  and  early  Life  of  Columbus.  His  dis- 
covery of  America,  and  discoveries  by  Cabot,  Hudson, 
and  others. 

CHRISTOPHER  COLUMBUS,  or  Columbo,  as  the  name  is 
written  in  Italian,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Genoa,  about 
the  year  1435,  of  poor  but  reputable  and  meritorious  pa- 
rentage. He  was  the  son  of  Domenico  Colombo,  a  wool 
comber,  and  Susanna  Fontanarossa,  his  wife  ;  and  his  an- 
cestors seem  to  have  followed  the  same  trade  for  several 
generations  in  Genoa.  Attempts  have  been  made  to 
prove  him  of  illustrious  descent,  and  several  noble  houses 
have  laid  claim  to  him  since  his  name  has  become  so  re- 
nowned as  to  confer  rather  than  receive  distinction.  It 
is  possible  some  of  them  may  be  in  the  right,  for  the 
feuds  in  Italy  in  those  ages  had  broken  down  and  scat- 
tered many  of  the  noblest  families,  and  while  some 
branches  remained  in  the  lordly  heritage  of  castles  and 
domains,  others  were  confounded  with  the  humblest  po- 
pulation of  the  cities.  The  fact,  however,  is  not  mate- 
rial to  his  fame ;  and  it  is  a  higher  proof  of  merit  to  be 
the  object  of  contention  among  various  noble  families, 
than  to  be  able  to  substantiate  the  most  illustrious  line- 
age. His  son  Fernando  had  a  true  feeling  on  the  subject. 
"  I  am  of  opinion,"  says  he,  "  that  I  should  derive  less 
dignity  from  any  nobility  of  ancestry,  than  from  being 
the  son  of  such  a  father." 

Columbus  was  the  oldest  of  four  children  ;  having  two 
brothers,  Bartholomew  and  Giacomo,  or,  as  his  name  is 
translated  into  Spanish,  Diego,  and  one  sister,  of  whom 
nothing  is  known,  excepting  that  she  was  married  to  a 
person  in  obscure  life,  called  Giacomo  Bavarello. 
A3 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

While  very  young,  Columbus  was  taught  reading,  wri- 
ting, grammar,  and  arithmetic,  and  made  some  proficien- 
cy in  drawing.  He  soon  evinced  a  strong  passion  for 
geographical  knowledge,  and  an  irresistible  inclination 
for  the  sea  ;  and  in  after  life,  when  he  looked  back  upon 
his  career  with  a  solemn  and  superstitious  feeling,  he  re- 
garded this  early  determination  of  his  mind  as  an  impulse 
from  the  deity,  guiding  him  to  the  studies,  and  inspiring 
him  with  the  inclinations,  proper  to  fit  him  for  the  high 
decrees  he  was  destined  to  accomplish.  His  father,  see- 
ing the  bent  of  his  mind,  endeavoured  to  give  him  an  edu- 
cation suitable  for  maritime  life.  He  sent  him,  therefore, 
to  the  university  of  Pa  via,  where  he  was  instructed  in 
geometry,  geography,  astronomy,  and  navigation  ;  he  ac- 
quired also  a  familiar  knowledge  of  the  Latin  tonjrio, 
which  at  that  time  was  the  medium  of  instruction,  aad 
the  language  of  the  schools.  He  remained  but  a. short 
time  at  Pa  via,  barely  sufficient  to  give  him  the  rudimerts 
of  the  necessary  sciences ;  the  thorough  acquaintance 
with  them  which  he  displayed  in  after  life,  must  have 
been  the  result  of  diligent  self-schooling,  and  of  casua! 
hours  of  study,  amidst  the  cares  and  vicissitudes  of  a  i\\y 
ged  and  wandering  life.  He  was  one  of  those  men  r.f 
strong  natural  genius,  who  appear  to  form  themselves 
who,  from  having  to  contend  at  their  very  outset  witf> 
privations  and  impediments,  acquire  an  intrepidity  in  bra- 
ving, and  a  facility  in  vanquishing  difficulties.  Such  men 
learn  to  effect  great  purposes  with  small  means,  supply- 
ing the  deficiency  of  the  latter  by  the  resources  of  their 
own  energy  and  invention.  This  is  one  of  the  remarka- 
ble features  in  the  history  of  Columbus.  In  every  under- 
taking, the  scantiness  and  apparent  insufficiency  of  his 
means  enhance  the  grandeur  of  his  achievements. 

Shortly  after  leaving  the  university,  he  entered  into 
nautical  life,  and,  according  to  his  own  account,  began 
to  navigate  at  fourteen  years  of  age.  A  complete  obscu- 
rity rests  upon  this  part  of  his  history.  It  is  supposed 
he  made  his  first  voyages  with  one  Colombo,  a  hardy  cap- 
tain of  the  seas,  who  had  risen  to  some  distinction  by 
his  bravery,  and  who  was  a  distant  connexion  of  his 
family. 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

The  seafaring  life  in  those  days  was  peculiarly  full  of 
hazard  and  enterprise.  Even  a  commercial  expedition 
resembled  a  warlike  cruise,  and  the  maritime  merchant 
had  often  to  fight  his  way  from  port  to  port.  Piracy  was 
almost  legalized.  The  frequent  feuds  between"  the  Ita- 
lian states  ;  the  cruisings  of  the  Catalonians ;  the  arma- 
das fitted  out  by  noblemen,  who  were  petty  sovereigns 
in  their  own  domains  ;  the  roving  ships  and  squadrons 
of  private  adventurers ;  and  the  holy  wars  waged  with 
the  Mahometan  powers,  rendered  the  narrow  seas  to 
which  navigation  was  principally  confined,  scenes  of  the 
most  hardy  encounters  and  trying  reverses.  Such  was 
the  rugged  school  in  which  Columbus  was  reared,  and 
such  the  rugged  teacher  that  first  broke  him  in  to  naval 
discipline. 

There  is  an  interval  of  several  years,  during  which  we 
have  but  one  or  two  shadowy  traces  of  Columbus,  who  is 
supposed  to  have  been  principally  engaged  in  the  Medi- 
terranean, and  up  the  Levant,  sometimes  in  voyages  of 
commerce,  sometimes  in  warlike  contests  between  the 
Italian  states,  sometimes  in  pious  and  predatory  expedi- 
tions against  the  infidels,  during  which  time  he  was  often 
under  the  perilous  command  of  his  old  fighting  relation, 
the  veteran  Colombo. 

Columbus  arrived  at  Lisbon  about  the  year  1470.  He 
was  at  that  time  in  the  full  vigour  of  manhood,  and  of  an 
engaging  presence ;  and  here  it  may  not  be  improper  to 
draw  his  portrait,  according  to  the  minute  descriptions 
given  of  him  by  his  contemporaries.  He  was  tall,  well 
formed,  and  muscular,  and  of  an  elevated  and  dignified 
demeanour.  His  visage  was  long,  and  neither  full  nor 
meagre ;  his  complexion  fair  and  freckled,  and  inclined 
to  ruddy  ;  his  nose  aquiline,  his  cheek  bones  were  rather 
high,  his  eyes  light  gray,  and  apt  to  enkindle ;  his  whole 
countenance  had  an  air  of  authority.  His  hair,  in  his 
youthful  days,  was  of  a  light  colour,  but  care  and  trouble 
soon  turned  it  gray,  and  at  thirty  years  of  age  it  was 
quite  white.  He  was  moderate  and  simple  in  diet  and 
apparel,  eloquent  in  discourse,  engaging  and  affable  with 
strangers,  and  of  an  amiableness  and  suavity  in  domestic 
life,  that  strongly  attached  his  household  to  his  person. 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

His  temper  was  naturally-  irritable  ;  but  he  subdued  it 
by  the  magnanimity  of  his  spirit,  comporting  himself 
with  a  courteous  and  gentle  gravity,  and  never  indulging 
in  any  intemperance  of  language.  Throughout  his  life, 
he  was  noted  for  a  strict  attention  to  the  offices  of  reli- 
gion. The  Sabbath  was  to  him  a  day  of  sacred  rest,  on 
which  he  would  never  sail  from  a  port,  unless  in  a  case 
of  extreme  necessity. 

While  at  Lisbon,  he  became  acquainted  with  a  lady  of 
rank,  named  Dona  Felipa,  who  resided  in  the  convent. 
The  acquaintance  soon  ripened  into  attachment,  and  end- 
ed in  marriage. 

When  Columbus  had  once  formed  his  theory,  it  became 
fixed  in  his  mind,  \vith  singular  firmness.  He  set  it  down 
as  a  fundamental  principle,  that  the  earth  was  a  terra- 
queous globe,  which  might  be  travelled  round  from  east 
to  west,  and  that  men  stood  foot  to  foot  when  on  oppo- 
site points. 

This  great  man,  when  about  forty  years  of  age,  formed 
the  idea  of  reaching  the  East  Indies  by  sailing  westward. 
His  fortune  being  small,  and  the  attempt  requiring  ef- 
fectual patronage,  he  laid  his  plan  before  the  senafe  of 
Genoa,  desirous  that  his  native  country  should  profit  if 
he  was  successful ;  the  scheme,  however,  appearing  chi- 
merical, was  rejected.  He  then  repaired  to  the  court 
of  Portugal ;  and  although  the  Portuguese  were  at  that 
time  distinguished  for  their  commercial  spirit,  and  John 
II.  who  then  reigned,  was  a  discerning  and  enterprising 
prince,  yet  the  prejudices  of  the  great  men  in  his  court, 
to  whom  the  matter  was  referred,  caused  Columbus  final- 
ly to  fail  in  his  attempt  there  also.  He  next  applied  to 
Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  king  and  queen  of  Arragon  and 
Castile,  and  at  the  same  time  sent  his  brother  Bartholo- 
mew (who  followed  the  same  profession,  and  who  was 
well  qualified  to  fill  the  immediate  place  under  such  a 
leader)  to  England,  to  lay  the  proposals  before  Henry 
VII.  which  likewise,  very  fortunately  for  the  future  well 
being  of  the  country,  met  with  no  success.  Many  were 
the  years  which  Christopher  Columbus  spent  in  ineffec- 
tual attendance  at  the  Castilian  court ;  the  impoverished 
state  into  which  the  finances  of  the  united  kingdom  were 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

reduced  by  the  war  with  Grenada,  repressed  every  dis- 
position to  attempt  great  designs.  But  the  war  being 
at  length  terminated,  the  powerful  mind  of  Isabella  broke 
through  all  obstructions ;  she  declared  herself  the  pa- 
troness of  Columbus,  while  her  husband,  Ferdinand,  de- 
clining to  partake  as  an  adventurer,  in  the  voyage,  only 
gave  it  the  sanction  of  his  name.  Thus  did  the  superior 
genius  of  woman  effect  the  discovery  of  one  half  of  the 
globe ! 

The  ships  sent  out  on  this  important  search  were  only 
three  in  number,  two  of  them  very  small,  with  ninety 
men,  victualled  for  a  year's  voyage.  Although  the  expense 
of  the  expedition  had  long  remained  the  sole  obstacle  to 
this  undertaking,  yet,  when  every  thing  was  provided, 
the  cost  did  not  amount  to  more  than  sixteen  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars,  for  which  purpose  the  queen  dis- 
posed of  her  jewels  to  raise  the  amount. 

Columbus  set  sail  from  the  port  of  Palos  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Andalusia,  August  3d,  1492:  He  proceeded  to 
the  Canary  Islands,  and  thence  directed  his  course  due 
west,  in  the  latitude  of  about  28  N.  In  this  course  he 
continued  for  two  months,  without  falling  in  with  any 
land,  which  caused  such  a  spirit  of  discontent  and  mutiny 
to  arise,  as  the  superior  address  and  management  of  the 
commander  became  uneqiial  to  suppress,  although  for 
those  qualities  he  was  eminently  distinguished.  He  was 
at  length  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  entering  into  a  so- 
lemn engagement,  to  abandon  the  enterprise  and  return 
home,  if  land  was  not  discovered  in  three  days.  Proba- 
bly he  would  not  have  been  able  to  retain  his  men  so 
long  from  acts  of  violence  and  outrage,  in  pursuing  so 
untried  and  dreary  a  course,  had  they  not  been  sensible 
that  their  safety  in  returning  home,  depended  very  much 
on  his  skill  as  a  navigator,  in  conducting  the  vessel. 

About  midnight  of  the  llth  of  October,  1492,  the  cry 
was,  land,  land,  which  proved  to  be  one  of  the  Bahama 
islands,  which  Columbus  named  "San  Salvadore  ;  it  was 
only  three  deg.  30  min.  lat.  to  the  south  of  the  island  of 
Gomora,  one  of  the  Canaries,  whence  he  took  his  depar- 
ture. This  navigator  was  still  so  confident  in  the  opinion 
he  had  formed  before  he  undertook  the  voyage,  that  he 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

believed  himself  then  to  be  on  an  island  which  was  situa- 
ted adjacent  to  the  Indies.  Proceeding  towards  the  S.  he 
saw  three  other  islands  which  he  named  St.  Mary,  Ferdi- 
nand, and  Isabella.  At  length  he  arrived  at  a  very  large 
island,  and  as  he  had  taken  seven  of  the  natives  of  San 
Salvadore  on  board,  he  learned  from  them  that  its  name 
was  called  Cuba,  but  he  gave  it  the  name  of  Juanna.  He 
next  proceeded  to  an  island  which  he  had  called  Espa- 
fiola,  in  honour  of  the  kingdom  by  which  he  was  employ- 
ed, and  it  still  bears  the  name  of  Hispaniola. 

Here  he  built  a  fort,  and  formed  a  small  settlement ;  he 
then  returned  home,  having  on  board  some  of  the  native? 
whom  he  had  taken  from  the  different  islands,  on  the  pas 
sage.  He  was  overtaken  by  a  storm  which  had  nearl) 
proved  fatal.  During  the  storm,  Columbus  hastily  en- 
closed in  a  cake  of  wax,  a  short  account  of  his  voyage 
and  discovery,  which  he  hoped,  should  he  perish,  might 
fall  into  the  hands  of  some  navigator,  or  be  cast  ashore, 
and  thus  the  knowledge  of  his  discovery  be  preserved  to 
the  world.  But  the  storm  abated,  and  he  arrived  safe  in 
Spain,  March  15th,  1493,  having  been  seven  months  and 
eleven  days  on  this  most  important  voyage. 

On  his  arrival,  letters  patent  were  issued  by  the  king 
and  queen,  confirming  to  Columbus  and  to  his  heirs,  all 
the  privileges  contained  in  an  agreement  wrhich  had  been 
enacted  before  his  departure. 

Not  only  the  Spaniards,  but  the  other  nations  of  Europe, 
seem  to  have  adopted  the  opinion  of  Columbus,  in  con- 
sidering the  countries  which  he  had  discovered  as  a  part 
of  India  ;  whence  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  gave  them  the 
name  "  Indies"  in  the  ratification  of  their  former  agree 
ment  with  Columbus  ;  even  after  the  error  was  detected, 
the  name  was  retained,  under  the  appellation  of  "  West 
Indies."  Nothing  could  possibly  tend  more  effectually 
to  rouse  every  active  principle  of  human  nature,  than  the 
discoveries  which  Columbus  had  made  ;  no  time  was  lost 
or  expense  spared,  in  preparing  a  fleet  of  ships,  with 
which  this  great  man  should  revisit  the  countries  he  had 
made  known. 

Seventeen  ships  were  made  ready  in  six  months,  and 
fifteen  hundred  persons  embarked  on  board  of  them, 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

among  whom  were  many  noble  families,  who  had  filled 
honourable  stations.  Ferdinand,  now  desirous  of  securing 
the  benefits  of  these  discoveries,  applied  to  the  Pope  to  be 
invested  with  a  right  in  their  newly  discovered  country, 
as  well  as  to  all  future  discoveries  in  that  direction ; 
but  as  it  was  necessary  that  there  should  be  some  favour 
of  religion  in  the  business,  he  founded  his  plea  on  a  de- 
sire of  converting  the  savage  natives  to  the  Romish  faith, 
which  plan  had  its  desired  effect. 

Columbus  sailed  from  the  port  of  Cadiz,  on  the  25th  of 
September,  1493.  When  he  arrived  at  Espafiola,  he 
had  the  affliction  to  find  that  all  the  Spaniards  whom  he 
had  left  there,  amounting  to  thirty-six  in  number,  had 
been  put  to  death  by  the  natives  in  revenge  for  the  insults 
and  outrage  which  they  had  committed.  After  tracing  out 
the  plan  of  a  town  in  a  large  plain  near  a  spacious  bay,  and 
giving  it  the  name  of  Isabella,  in  honour  of  his  patroness, 
the  queen  of  Castile,  and  appointed  his  brother  to  preside 
as  deputy  governor  in  his  absence,  Columbus,  on  the 
24th  of  April,  1494,  sailed  with  one  ship  and  two  small 
barks,  to  make  further  discoveries  in  the  seas.  In  this 
voyage  he  was  employed  five  months,  and  fell  in  with 
many  small  islands  on  the  coast  of  Cuba,  but  none  of  any 
importance  except  the  island  of  Jamaica. 

Soon  after  his  return  to  Hispaniola,  he  resolved  to 
make  war  with  the  Indians,  who  amounted  to  100,000 
men  ;  they  having  experienced  every  lawless  act  of  vio- 
lence from  their  invaders,  were  rendered  extremely  in- 
veterate, and  thirsting  for  revenge,  a  disposition  which 
appears  to  have  been  foreign  to  their  natures.  Having 
collected  his  whole  force,  he  attacked  them  by  night, 
while  they  were  assembled  on  a  wide  plain,  and  obtained 
a  most  decisive  victory,  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man 
on  his  part.  The  effect  of  cannon  and  fire  arms,  the  noise 
of  which  was  appalling,  employed  against  a  numerous 
body  of  Indians,  closely  drawn  together,  was  in  the  high- 
est degree  destructive.  Columbus  had  brought  over  with 
him  a  small  body  of  cavalry. 

The  Indians,  who  had  never  before  seen  such  a  crea- 
ture, imagined  the  Spanish  horses  to  be  rational  beings, 
and  that  each,  with  its  rider,  formed  but  one  animal ;  they 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

were  astonished  at  their  speed,  and  considered  their  im- 
petuosity and  strength  as  irresistible.  Numbers  were 
slain,  and  many  made  prisoners,  who  were  immediately 
consigned  to  slavery. 

At  the  departure  of  Columbus  from  Spain,  he  was  ap 
pointed  governor  of  the  new  world ;  but  by  false  repre 
sentations  of  his  enemies,  the  king  was  persuaded  to  ap- 
point another  in  his  place.  The  king  also  gave  orders 
that  Columbus  should  be  seized  and  sent  to  Spain ;  this 
was  executed,  and  the  heroic  Columbus  returned  to  Spain 
in  irons.  He  was  set  at  liberty  by  the  king  on  his  arri- 
val, but  never  recovered  his  authority.  After  his  return 
from  his  fourth  voyage,  finding  Isabella,  his  patroness, 
dead,  he  sunk  beneath  his  misfortunes,  and  died  May 
20th,  1506,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

In  1497,  John  Cabot  and  his  son  commenced  a  voyage 
of  discovery,  and  on  the  24th  of  June  discovered  the  island 
of  Newfoundland,  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Prima 
Vesta.  Leaving  this,  they  fell  in  with  a  small  island,  which 
they  called  St.  Johns.  The  French  attempted  no  disco- 
veries until  1524.  In  1584,  Sir  Waller  Raleigh,  under 
commission  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  arrived  in  America,  en- 
tered Pamplico  Sound,  now  in  North  Carolina,  and  sailed 
thence  to  Roanoke ;  of  this  country  he  took  possession, 
and  on  his  return  to  England  gave  so  splendid  a  descrip- 
tion of  it,  that  Queen  Elizabeth  bestowed  upon  it  the 
name  of  Virginia,  in  allusion  to  her  being  unmarried. 

In  1602,  Bartholomew  Gosnold  discovered  some  part 
of  New-England.  He  first  touched  on  its  eastern  coast, 
in  about  43  degrees  of  north  latitude  ;  he  made  some  dis- 
coveries of  the  adjacent  ports,  and  gave  them  the  name 
of  Cape  Cod,  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 

In  1603,  the  French  made  some  small  discoveries,  and 
began  to  settle  at  Port  Royal,  on  the  Bay  of  Funda. 

In  1608,  Henry  Hudson  discovered  Long  Island ;  he 
also  discovered  and  gave  name  to  Hudson  River,  which 
retains  this  name  to  the  present  time. 

NOTE. — The  birth,  parentage,  and  the  early  education  of  Columbus, 
has  been  extracted  from  that  valuable  work  which  has  recently  appeared 
from  the  able  pen  of  Washington  Irving. 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES. 


PART  FIRST. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Prom  the  settl  ment  of  Jamestown  to  the  embarkation  of 
the  Plymouth  Company. 

THE  discovery  of  America  by  Columbus,  gave  a  new 
:mpulse  to  that  bold  spirit  of  adventure  which  character- 
ized the  hardy  age  in  which  he  lived.  Although  several 
men  of  rank  and  fortune  were  concerned  in  the  companies 
which  had  been  formed  in  England  for  colonising  America, 
their  funds  appear  to  have  been  very  limited,  and  their 
first  efforts  were  extremely  feeble.  The  first  expedition 
for  the  southern  colony  consisted  of  one  vessel  of  100  tons, 
and  two  barks,  with  105  men,  destined  to  remain  in  the 
country.  The  command  of  this  small  fleet  was  given  to 
Captain  Newport,  who  sailed  from  the  Thames  the  19th 
of  December,  1606.  At  the  time  his  instructions  were 
given,  three  packages,  sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  council, 
were  delivered,  one  to  Captain  Newport,  one  to  Captain 
Bartholomew  Gosnald,  and  the  third  to  Captain  John  Rat- 
clifTe,  containing  the  names  of  the  council  for  the  colony. 

They  were  directed  not  to  open  these  packages  within  34 
hours  after  their  arrival  on  the  coast  of  Virginia,  and  the 
names  of  his  majesty's  council  were  then  to  be  proclaim- 
ed. The  council  were  then  to  proceed  in  the  choice  of 
a  president,  who  should  have  two  votes.  To  this  singu- 
lar and  unaccountable  concealment,  have  been  in  a  great 
degree  attributed  the  dissensions  which  distracted  the  colo- 
nist? on  their  passage,  and  which  afterwards  considerably 
impeded  the  progress  of  their  infant  settlement.  Newport, 

2 


14  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

whose  place  of  destination  was  Roanoke,  took  the  circuit- 
ous route  by  the  West  India  islands,  and  had  a  long  pas- 
sage of  four  months.  The  reckoning  had  been  out  for 
three  days,  without  perceiving  land  ;  and  serious  proposi- 
tions were  made  for  returning  to  England;  when  they 
were  overtaken  by  a  storm,  which  fortunately  drove  them 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake. 

On  the  26th  of  April,  1607,  they  discerned  Cape  Henry, 
and  soon  after  Cape  Charles.  Impatient  to  land,  a  party 
of  about  30  men  went  on  shore  at  Cape  Hejpry,  but  they 
were  immediately  attacked  by  the  natives,  wno  considered 
them  as  enemies,  and  in  the  skirmish  which  ensued,  seve- 
ral were  wounded  on  both  sides.  The  first  employment 
of  the  colonists,  wras  to  explore  the  adjacent  country,  with 
the  appearance  of  which  they  were  greatly  delighted,  and 
to  select  a  spot  on  which  their  settlement  should  be  made. 
They  proceeded  up  a  large,  beautiful  river,  called  by  the 
natives  Powhattan,  and  to  which  they  gave  the  name  of 
James  ;  on  a  peninsula,  on  the  northhside  of  which  they 
immediately  agreed  to  make  the  first  establishment  of  their 
colony. 

This  place,  as  well  as  the  river,  they  named  after  their 
king,  and  called  it  Jamestown ;  there  they  debarked  on 
the  13th  of  May,  and  the  sealed  packets  being  opened,  Mr. 
Wingfield  was,  by  the  council,  elected  their  president ;  but 
under  frivolous  and  unjustifiable  pretexts,  they  excluded 
Smith  from  taking  his  seat  among  them — John  Smith, 
whose  courage  and  talents  seem  to  have  excited  their  envy, 
and  who  on  the  passage,  had  been  imprisoned  on  the  im- 
probable and  unsupportable  charge  of  intending  to  mur- 
der the  council,  usurp  the  government,  and  make  himself 
king  of  Virginia. 

The  colonists  soon  found  themselves  embroiled  with 
the  Indians,  who  attacked  them  suddenly,  while  at  work , 
but  were  frightened  by  the  fire  from  the  ship,  and  in  a 
short  time,  a  temporary  accommodation  with  them  was  ef- 
fected. Although  Newport  was  named  of  the  council,  he 
was  ordered  to  return  with  the  vessel  to  England,  and  the 
time  of  his  departure  approached.  The  accusers  of  Smith, 
affecting  a  degree  of  humanity  which  they  did  not  feel, 
proposed  that  lie  should  return  with  Newport,  instead  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  15 

being  prosecuted  in  Virginia ;  but  with  the  pride  of  con 
ddous  innocence,  he  demanded  his  trial,  and  being  he 
aourably  acquitted,  took  his  seat  in  the  council.  About 
the  15th  of  June,  Newport  sailed  for  England,  leaving  be- 
hind him  one  bark,  and  about  100  persons,  the  only  Eng 
lish  then  on  the  continent  of  America. 

Thus,  about  one  hundred  and  ten  years  after  this  conti 
nent  had  been  discovered  by  Cabot,  and  22  years  after  a 
colony  had  been  conducted  to  Roanoke  by  Sir  Richard 
Grenville,  the  English  possessions  in  America,  designed 
soon  to  become  a  mighty  empire,  were  limited  to  a  penin- 
sula of  a  few  thousand  acres  of  land,  held  by  a  small  body 
of  men,  who  with  difficulty  maintained  themselves  against 
the  paltry  tribes  which  surrounded  them,  and  looked  in  a 
great  measure  to  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  for  the 
bread  on  which  they  were  to  subsist.  The  stock  of  pro- 
visions for  the  colony  had  been  very  improvidentially  laid 
in ;  it  was  entirely  inadequate  to  their  wants,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  this  original  error,  it  had  sustained  great  damage  in 
the  holds  of  their  vessels,  during  their  long  passage. 

On  the  departure  of  Newport,  (during  whose  stay  they 
managed  to  partake  of  the  superfluity  of  sailors,)  they 
were  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  subsisting  on  the  distri- 
butions from  the  public  stores.  These  were,  at  the  same 
time,  scanty  and  unwholesome.  They  did  not  amount  to 
more  per  man  than  a  pint  of  worm  eaten  wheat,  and  bar- 
ley boiled  in  a  common  kettle.  This  wretched  food  in 
creased  the  malignity  of  the  diseases  generated  by  a  hot, 
and,  at  that  time,  (the  country  being  entirely  uncleared 
and  undrained,)  a  damp  climate,  among  men  exposed,  from 
their  situation,  to  all  its  rigours.  Before  the  month  of 
September,  50  of  the  company,  and  among  them  Bartholo- 
mew Gosnald,  who  had  originated  the  expedition,  and  so 
much  contributed  to  wards  its  being  carried  on,  were  buried. 

This  scene  of  distress  was  heightened  by  internal  dis- 
sension. The  president  was  charged  with  having  embez- 
zled the  best  stores  of  the  colony,  and  of  feasting  at  his 
private  table  with  beef  and  bread,  then  deemed  luxuries 
of  the  highest  order,  while  famine  and  death  devoured  his 
rellow  adventurers.  No  crime,  in  the  public  opinion, 
could  have  been  more  atrocious.  In  addition  to  this,  he 


16  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

was  detected  in  an  attempt  to  escape  from  them  and  their 
calamities,  in  the  bark  which  had  been  left  by  Newport 
The  general  indignation  could  no  longer  be  restrained 
He  was  deposed,  and  Ratcliffe  chosen  to  succeed  him 
Misfortune  is  not  unfrequently  the  parent  of  moderation 
and  reflection,  and  this  state  of  misery  produced  a  system 
of  conduct  towards  the  neighbouring  Indians,  which,  for 
the  moment,  disarmed  their  resentment,  and  induced  them 
to  bring  in  such  supplies  as  the  country  at  that  season 
afforded,  and  thereby  preserved  the  remnant  of  the  colony. 
It  produced  another  effect,  not  less  important.  Their  sense 
of  imminent  and  common  danger,  called  forth  and  com- 
pelled submission  to  those  talents  which  were  fitted  to  the 
exigence,  and  best  calculated  to  extricate  them  from  the 
difficulties  by  which  they  were  surrounded. 

Captain  Smith,  who  had  been  imprisoned  and  expelled 
from  the  council  by  the  envy  of  those  who  felt  and  hated 
his  superiority,  and  who,  after  evincing  his  innocence,  had 
with  difficulty  been  admitted  to  the  station  assigned,  pre- 
served his  health  unimpaired,  his  spirits  unbroken,  and  hig 
judgment  unclouded,  amidst  this  general  misery  and  de- 
jection. In  him,  by  common  consent,  all  actual  authority 
was  placed,  and  he,  by  his  own  example,  soon  gave  energy 
and  efficiency  to  others  in  the  execution  of  his  com- 
mands. 

He  immediately  erected,  at  Jamestown,  such  rude  for- 
tifications as  were  necessary  to  resist  the  sudden  attack  of 
the  savages,  and,  with  great  labour,  in  which  he  always 
took  the  lead,  completed  the  construction  of  such  dwell- 
ings as  could  shelter  the  people  from  the  weather ;  con- 
tributed to  restore  and  preserve  their  health,  while  his  ac- 
commodation gave  place  to  all  others.  In  the  season  of 
gathering  corn,  which,  with  the  Indians,  is  the  season  of 
plenty,  putting  himself  at  the  head  of  small  parties,  he  pene- 
trated into  the  country,  and,  by  presents  and  caresses  to 
those  that  were  well  disposed,  and  attacking  with  open 
force,  and  defeating  those  who  were  hostile,  he  obtained 
for  his  countrymen  the  most  abundant  supplies.  While 
thus  actively  and  usefully  employed  abroad,  he  was  not 
permitted  to  withdraw  his  attention  from  the  domestic 
concerns  of  the  colony.  However  unfit  men  may  be  for 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  17 

command,  there  are  few  examples  of  their  descending 
willingly  from  exalted  stations  once  filled  by  them,  arid  it 
is  not  wonderful  that  the  late  president  saw  with  displea- 
sure another  placed  above  him. 

As  unworthy  minds  most  readily  devise  unworthy  means, 
he  sought,  by  intriguing  with  the  factious,  and  fomenting 
their  discontents,  to  regain  his  lost  authority ;  and  when 
their  attempts  were  disconcerted,  plans  were  laid,  first  by 
Wingfield  and  Kendal,  and  afterwards  by  the  president 
himself,  in  conjunction  with  Martin,  the  only  remaining 
member  of  the  council,  except  Smith,  to  escape  in  the 
bark,  and  thus  abandon  the  country.  The  vigilance  01 
Sri i ilk  detected  all  these  machinations,  and  his  vigour  de- 
feated them.  The  hope  was  now  indulged  of  preserving 
tiie  colony  in  quiet  and  plenty,  until  supplies  could  be  re- 
ceived from  England,  with  the  ships  which  were  expected 
in  the  spring.  This  hope  was,  in  a  considerable  degree, 
defeated,  by  an  event  which  threatened,  at  first,  the  most 
disastrous  consequences. 

In  an  attempt  to  explore  the  head  of  Chickahominy 
river,  Smith  was  discovered,  and  attacked  by  a  numerous 
body  of  Indians,  and,  in  endeavouring  to  make  his  escape, 
after  a  most  gallant  defence,  his  attention  being  directed 
to  the  enemy,  whom  he  still  fought  in  retreating,  he  sunk 
up  to  his  neck  in  a  swamp,  and  was  obliged  to  surrender. 
Still  retaining  his  presence  of  mind,  he  showed  them  a 
mariner's  compass,  at  which,  especially  at  the  playing  of 
the  needle,  and  the  impossibility  of  touching  it,  although 
they  saw  it  so  distinctly,  they  were  greatly  astonished; 
and  he  amused  them  with  so  many  surprising  stories  of  its 
qualities,  as  to  inspire  them  with  a  degree  of  veneration, 
which  prevented  their  executing  their  first  design  of  killing 
him  on  the  spot.  They  conducted  him  in  triumph  through 
several  towns  to  the  palace  of  Powhatan,  the  most  potent 
king  in  the  country. 

There  he  was  doomed  to  be  put  to  death  by  laying  his 
head  upon  a  log,  and  beating  his  brains  out  with  clubs. 
He  was  led  to  the  place  of  execution,  and  his  head  bowed 
down  for  the  purpose  of  death,  when  Pocahontas,  the 
king's  daughter,  then  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  whose 
entreaties  for  his  life  had  been  ineffectual,  rushed  between 

2* 


18  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

him  and  the  executioner,  and  folding  his  head  in  her  arms, 
and  laying  hers  upon  it,  arrested  the  fatal  blow.  Her  fa- 
ther was  then  prevailed  on  to  spare  his  life,  and  after  a 
great  many  savage  ceremonies,  he  was  sent  back  to  James- 
town. On  his  arrival  thither,  having  been  absent  seven 
weeks,  he  found  the  colony  reduced  to  38  persons,  most 
of  whom  seemed  determined  to  abandon  the  country,  which 
appeared  to  them  so  unfavourable  to  human  life.  He 
was  just  in  time  to  prevent  the  execution  of  this  design 
Alternately  employing  persuasions,  threats,  and  even  vio- 
lence, he,  at  length,  with  much  hazard  to  himself,  induced 
the  majority  to  relinquish  the  'intentions  they  had  formed, 
and  then  turning  the  guns  of  the  fort  on  the  bark,  on 
board  of  which  were  the  most  determined,  compelled  he£ 
to  remain,  or  sink  in  the  river. 

By  judicious  regulation  of  their  intercourse  with  the 
Indians,  among  whom  Smith  was  now  in  high  repute,  he 
preserved  plenty  in  the  colony  until  the  arrival  of  two 
vessels,  which  had  been  despatched  from  England  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Newport,  with  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions, instruments  of  husbandry,  and  with  a  reinforce- 
ment of  120  persons ;  consisting  of  many  gentlemen,  a 
few  labourers,  and  several  refiners,  goldsmiths,  and  jewel- 
lers. The  joy  of  the  colony  on  receiving  this  accession 
of  force,  and  supply  of  provisions,  was  extreme.  But  the 
influence  of  Smith  disappeared  with  the  danger  which  had 
produced  it.  and  an  improvident  relaxation  of  discipline, 
productive  of  the  most  pernicious  consequences,  succeed- 
ed to  it.  Among  the  unwise  practices  which  they  tole- 
rated, an  indiscriminate  traffic  with  the  natives  was  per- 
mitted, in  the  course  of  which  some  obtained  for  their 
commodities  much  better  bargains  than  others,  which  in- 
spired those  who  had  been  most  hardly  dealt  by,  and  who 
thought  themselves  cheated,  with  resentment  against  the 
English  generally,  and  a  consequent  thirst  for  revenge. 

About  this  time  was  found,  washed  down  by  a  small 
stream  of  water,  back  of  Jamestown,  a  glittering  earth, 
which,  by  the  colonists,  was  mistaken  for  gold  dust.  All 
that  raging  thirst  for  gold  which  accompanied  the  first  Eu- 
ropeans who  visited  the  American  continent,  seemed  re- 
excited  by  this  incident.  Mr.  Stith,  in  his  history,  ?sys, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  10 

"here  was  nothing  thought  of  but  to  dig  gold,  wash  gold, 
refine  gold,  and  load  gold.  And,  notwithstanding  Cap- 
tain Smith's  warm  and  judicious  representations,  how  ab- 
surd it  was  to  neglect  all  other  things  of  immediate  use 
and  necessity,  to  load  such  a  drunken  ship  with  gilded  dust, 
yet  was  he  overruled,  and  her  returns  were  made  with  a 
parcel  of  glittering  dirt,  which  is  to  be  found  in  various 
parts  of  the  country,  and  which  they  very  sanguinely  con- 
cluded to  be  gold  dust. 

One  vessel  returned  in  the  spring  of  1608,  the  other 
the  2d  of  June,  laden,  one  with  dust,  the  other  with  cedar. 
This  is  the  first  remittance  ever  made  from  America  by  an 
English  colony.  The  effects  of  this  fatal  delusion,  were 
such  as  might  have  been  foreseen,  and  were  soon  felt. 
The  colony  began  to  suffer  the  same  distress  from  scarcity 
of  lood,  which  had  before  brought  it  to  the  brink  of  ruin. 
The  researches  of  the  English  settlers  had  not  yet  extend 
ed  beyond  the  countries  adjacent  to  James  River.  Smith 
had  formed  the  bold  design  of  exploring  the  great  bay  of 
Chesapeake,  examining  the  mighty  rivers  which  empty 
into  it,  opening  an  entrance  with  the  nations  inhabiting 
them,  and  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  state  of  their  cul- 
tivation and  population. 

This  hardy  enterprise  he  undertook,  accompanied  by 
Doctor  Russell,  in  an  open  boat  of  about  three  tons  bur- 
then, and  with  a  crew  of  13  men.  On  the  2d  of  June,  he 
fell  down  the  river,  in  company  with  the  last  of  Newport's 
two  vessels,  and  parted  with  her  at  the  Capes.  Beginning 
his  survey  at  Cape  Charles,  he  examined  with  immense 
fatigue  and  danger,  every  river,  inlet,  and  bay,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Chesapeake,  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Rap- 
pahannoc,  from  whence,  their  provisions  being  exhausted, 
he  returned  to  Jamestown.  He  reached  the  place  on  the 
21st  July,  and  found  the  colony  in  the  utmost  confusion 
and  disorder.  Those  who  had  arrived  last,  with  Newport, 
were  all  sick,  and  general  scarcity  prevailed  ;  an  universal 
discontent  with  the  president,  whom  they  charged  with 
riotously  consuming  the  stores,  and  unnecessarily  fati- 
guing the  people,  with  building  a  house  of  pleasure  for 
himself  in  the  woods. 

The  seasonable  arrival  of  Smith,  prevented  their  fury 


20  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

from  breaking  out  in  acts  of  personal  violence.  Their 
views  were  extended,  and  their  spirits  revived,  by  the  ac- 
counts he  gave  of  his  discovery.  They  contented  them- 
selves with  deposing  their  president,  and  Smith  was  urged, 
but  refused,  to  succeed  him. 

Having  made,  in  three  days,  arrangements  for  obtain 
ing  regular  supplies,  and  for  the  government  of  the  colony 
his  firm  friend,  Mr.  Scrivner,  was  appointed  vice  presi- 
dent, and  on  the  14th  of  July,  he  again  set  out,  with  12 
men,  to  complete  his  discoveries. 

From  this  voyage,  he  returned  on  the  7th  of  Septembei 
He  had  ad  ventured  as  far  as  the  River  Susquehannah,  and 
visited  all  the  countries  on  both  sides  of  the  river  ;  he  en 
tered  most  of  the  large  creeks,  and  sailed  up  many  of  the 
great  rivers  to  their  falls. 

When  we  consider  that  he  sailed  above  300  miles  in  an 
open  boat,  when  we  contemplate  the  dangers  and  the 
hardships  he  encountered,  and  the  fortitude,  courage,  and 
patience,  with  which  he  met  them ;  when  we  reflect  on 
the  useful  and  important  additions  which  he  made  to  the 
stock  of  knowledge  respecting  America,  then  possessed 
by  his  countrymen,  we  shall  not  hesitate  to  say  that  few 
voyages  of  discovery,  undertaken  at  any  time,  reflect  more 
honour  on  those  engaged  in  them,  than  this  does  on  Cap- 
tain Smith.  It  may  not  be  entirely  unworthy  of  remark, 
that  about  the  bottom  of  the  bay,  Smith  went  with  a  par- 
ty of  Indians  from  St.  Lawrence,  coming  to  war  with  those 
of  that  neighbourhood;  and  that  he  found  among  Indians 
on  the  Susquehannah,  hatchets  obtained  originally  from 
the  French  in  Canada. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  immediately  after  his  return 
from  his  expedition,  he  was  chosen  president  by  the  coun- 
cil, and  accepted  the  office. 

Soon  after  Newport  arrived  with  an  additional  supply 
of  inhabitants  ;  among  whom  were  the  two  first  females 
who  had  ventured  into  the  country  ;  but  he  came  without 
provisions.  The  distinguished,  judicious,  and  vigorous 
administration  of  the  president,  however,  supplied  their 
wants,  and  restrained  the  turbulent.  Encouraged  by  his 
example,  coerced  by  his  authority,  a  spirit  of  industry  and 
subordination  appeared  to  be  created  in  the  colony,  which 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  21 

was  the  parent  of  plenty  and  peace.  In  the  mean  time, 
the  company  in  England  became  excessively  dissatisfied 
with  their  property  in  America.  They  had  calculated  on 
discovering  a  passage  to  the  south  sea,  and  mines  of  the 
precious  metals,  which  might  afford  to  individuals  me 
same  sudden  accumulation  of  wealth  which  had  been  ac 
quired  by  the  Spaniards  in  the  south.  In  all  their  hopes 
they  had  been  grievously  disappointed,  and  had  as  yet 
received  scarcely  any  advantage  for  the  heavy  expenses 
they  had  incurred ;  yet  hope  did  not  altogether  forsake 
them,  and  they  still  indulged  in  golden  dreams  of  future 
wealth. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  1609,  a  new  charter  was  granted 
them,  some  of  the  first  nobility,  and  gentry  of  the  country, 
and  most  of  the  companies  of  London,  with  a  numerous 
body  of  merchants  and  tradesmen,  were  now  added  to  the 
former  adventurers,  and  they  were  all  incorporated,  by 
the  name  of  the  Treasurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers 
of  the  city  of  London,  for  the  first  colony  in  Virginia.  To 
them  was  granted,  as  their  property,  the  lands  extending 
from  Cape  or  Point  Comfort  along  the  sea  coast,  200  miles 
northward,  and  from  the  same  point  along  the  sea  coast 
200  miles  southward. 

The  corporation  was  authorized  to  own,  under  its  com- 
mon seal,  particular  portions  of  these  lands  to  subjects  or 
denizens,  on  such  conditions  as  might  promote  the  inten- 
tions of  the  grant.  The  powers  of  the  president  and 
council  in  Virginia  were  abrogated,  and  a  new  council  in 
England  was  established  and  ordained  in  the  charter,  with 
power  to  the  company  to  fill  all  vacancies  therein  by  elec- 
tion. This  council  was  empowered  to  appoint  and  renew 
all  officers  for  the  colony,  and  to  make  all  ordinances  for 
its  government,  provided  they  be  not  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  England. 

License  was  given  to  transport  all  persons  that  were 
willing,  and  to  export  merchandise  free  from  custom  to 
Virginia,  for  seven  years.  There  was  also  granted,  for 
twenty-one  years,  freedom  from  all  subsidies  in  Virginia, 
and  from  all  impositions  on  importations  and  exportations, 
from  or  to  any  of  the  king's  dominions,  except  only  the 
five  pounds  in  the  hundred  due  for  custom.  The  company 


-«  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

being  now  enlarged,  was  enabled  to  take  more  efficient 
measures  than  heretofore  for  the  settlement  of  the  coun 
try ;  they  soon  fitted  out  nine  ships  with  500  emigrant, 
and  such  supplies  as  were  deemed  necessary  for  them 
Lord  Delawar  was  constituted  governor  and  captain  ge 
neral  for  life,  and  several  other  high  sounding  ana  useless 
offices  were  created.  The  direction  of  the  expedition 
was  again  given  to  Captain  Newport,  George  Somers, 
and  Thomas  Gates.  Power  was  severally  granted  to 
govern  the  colony  until  the  arrival  of  Lord  Delawar. 

With  singular  indiscretion,  the  council  omitted  to  esta- 
blish precedence  among  these  gentlemen,  and  being  totally 
unable  to  settle  this  point  between  themselves,  they 
agreed  to  embark  on  board  of  the  same  vessel,  and  to  be 
companions  during  the  voyage.  They  were  parted  from 
the  rest  of  the  fleet  in  a  storm,  and  driven  on  Bermudas, 
having  on  board  150  men,  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
provisions,  and  the  new  commission  and  instructions  of 
the  council.  The  residue  of  the  squadron  arrived  safe  ia 
Virginia. 

The  great  part  of  the  new  company  consisted  of  unruly 
sparks  packed  off  by  their  friends  to  escape  worse  desti- 
nies at  home,  and  the  rest  chiefly  made  up  of  poor  gen- 
tlemen, broken  tradesmen,  rakes  and  libertines,  footmen, 
and  such  others  as  were  more  ruinous  to  the  common- 
wealth, than  to  help  to  raise  or  maintain  it.  They  as- 
sumed to  themselves  the  power  of  disposing  of  the  go- 
vernment, and  conferred  it  sometimes  on  one,  and  some- 
times on  another.  To-day  the  old  commission  must  rule, 
to-morrow  the  new,  and  next  day  neither.  So  all  was 
anarchy  and  distraction. 

The  judgment  of  Smith  was  suspended  but  for  a  short 
time.  He  soon  determined  that  his  own  authority  was 
not  legally  revoked  until  the  arrival  of  the  new  commis- 
sion, and,  therefore,  resolved  to  continue  its  exercise.  He 
boldly  imprisoned  the  chief  promoter  of  the  sedition, 
and  thereby  restored  for  a  time  regularity  and  obedience. 
Having  effected  this,  he  detached  100  persons  to  the  falls 
of  James  River,  under  the  command  of  West,  and  thf 
same  number  to  Nansemond,  under  the  command  of  Mar- 
tin. These  settlements  were  conducted  with  so  little 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  23 

judgment,  that  they  soon  converted  all  the  neighbouring 
Indians  into  enemies,  had  several  parties  cut  off,  and  found 
themselves  in  need  of  the  support  and  direction  of  Smith. 
These  were  always  afforded,  until  a  melancholy  accident 
deprived  the  colony  of  the  aid  of  a  man,  whose  talents 
had  more  than  once  rescued  it  from  that  desperate  condi- 
tion into  which  folly  and  vice  had  plunged  it. 

Returning  from  the  company  at  the  falls  of  James 
River,  his  powder  bag,  while  he  was  asleep  in  the  boat, 
took  fire;  he  was  wounded  so  as  to  be  confined  to  his 
bed.  Being  thus  wounded,  and  unable  to  obtain  the  aid 
of  a  surgeon  in  the  colony,  he  determined  to  return  to 
England,  for  which  place  he  embarked  about  the  begin- 
ning of  October.  At  his  departure  the  colony  consisted 
of  about  500  inhabitants  ;  they  were  furnished  with  3 
ships,  7  boats,  10  weeks'  provisions  in  the  public  store, 
0  mares  and  a  horse,  a  large  stock  of  hogs  and  poultry, 
with  some  sheep  and  goats ;  utensils  for  agriculture,  nets 
for  fishing,  100  trained  and  expert  soldiers,  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  Indians,  their  language  and  habitations ;  24 
pieces  of  ordnance,  and  three  hundred  muskets,  with  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  other  arms  and  ammunition. 

The  present  fair  prospect  was  soon  blasted.  The  In- 
dians understood  that  the  man  whose  conduct  and  vigour 
they  had  so  often  experienced,  and  so  much  dreaded,  no 
longer  remained  in  the  country ;  they  fell  upon  them. 
Captains  West  and  Martin  having  lost  their  boats,  and 
nearly  half  of  their  men,  were  driven  back  to  Jamestown; 
the  stock  of  provisions  was  lavishly  wasted,  and  a  famine, 
the  most  dreadful  with  which  they  had  ever  been  afflicted, 
ra-jed  among  them.  After  devouring  the  skins  of  their 
horses,  and  the  Indians  they  had  killed,  the  survivors  fed 
on  those  of  their  companions  who  had  sunk  under  such 
accumulated  calamities.  This  period  was  long  remem- 
bered by  the  name  of  the  Starving  Time. 

In  six  months  the  colony  was  reduced  to  60  persons, 
who  were  so  feeble  and  dejected  that  they  could  not  sur- 
vive ten  days  longer.  In  this  calamitous  state,  they  were 
relieved  by  Thomas  Gates,  George  Somers,  and  Captain 
Newport,  who  arrived  from  Bermuda  24th  of  May,  1610. 
It  was  immediately  determined  to  abandon  the  country ; 


24  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  for  this  purpose  the  wretched  remnant  of  the  colony 
embarked  on  board  the  vessel  just  arrived  from  Bermuda, 
and  set  sail  for  England.  None  dropped  a  tear,  because 
none  had  enjoyed  one  day  of  happiness.  But  they  met 
Lord  Delawar  in  the  river,  with  three  ships,  and  a  recruit 
of  new  settlers  and  persons  from  England,  who  prevailed 
on  them  to  return,  and.on  the  10th  of  June,  re-settled  them 
at  Jamestown. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  1611,  Sir  Thomas  Dale,  who  bad 
been  appointed  to  the  government,  arrived  with  fresh 
supplies  of  men  and  provisions,  and  found  the  colony  re- 
lapsing into  its  former  state  of  idleness  and  penury.  It 
required  all  the  authority  of  the  new  governor  to  maintain 
public  order,  and  to  compel  the  idle  and  dissolute  to  labour. 
Some  conspiracies  having  been  detected,  he  proclaimed 
martial  law,  and  instantly  executed  it,  by  punishing  the 
most  guilty.  These  severities,  which,  in  the  ordinary 
state  of  society,  would  not,  and  ought  not  to  have  been 
submitted  to,  were  then  deemed  necessary,  and  are  spoken 
of  as  having  probably  saved  the  settlement. 

In  the  beginning  of  August,  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  who 
had  been  appointed  to  succeed  Thomas  Dale,  arrived  with 
six  ships,  and  a  considerable  supply  of  men  and  provi- 
sions. The  colony  being  now  greatly  strengthened,  began 
to  extend  itself  up  the  James  River,  and  several  new  set- 
tlements were  made.  In  March,  1612,  a  new  charter  was 
issued,  granting  to  the  treasurer  and  company  all  the 
islands  situate  in  the  ocean,  within  three  hundred  leagues 
of  the  coast  of  Virginia. 

It  was  ordained  that  four  general  courts  of  adventurers 
should  be  holden  annually,  for  the  determination  of  affairs 
of  importance,  and  weekly  meetings  were  appointed  for 
the  transaction  of  common  business. 

To  promote  the  settlement,  which  had  already  cost  such 
considerable  sums,  license  wras  given  to  open  lotteries  in 
any  part  of  England.  These  lotteries,  which  were  the 
first  ever  drawn  in  England,  brought  twenty-nine  thou- 
sand pounds  into  the  treasury  of  the  company.  Captain 
Argal  arrived  from  England  with  two  vessels,  and  was 
sent  round  to  the  Potomac,  for  a  cargo  of  corn.  Here  he 
understood  that  Pocahontas,  who  had  saved  the  life  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  25 

Smith,  and  ever  had  been  steadfast  in  her  attachments  to 
the  English,  having  absented  herself  from  her  father's 
house,  now  lay  concealed. 

By  bribing  some  of  those  in  whom  she  had  confided, 
Captain  Argal  prevailed  on  her  to  come  on  board  his  ves- 
sel, where  she  was  detained  respectfully,  and  brought  to 
Jamestown.  His  motive  was,  the  hope  that  the  posses- 
sion of  Pocahontas  would  give  the  English  an  ascendancy 
over  her  father,  Powhatan.  In  this,  however,  he  was 
disappointed.  Powhatan  offered  corn  and  friendship,  if 
they  would  first  restore  his  daughter,  but  would  come  to 
no  terms  until  reparation  was  made  for  what  he  resented, 
as  an  act  of  unhandsome  treachery. 

During  her  detention  at  Jamestown,  she  made  an  im- 
pression on  the  heart  of  Mr.  Rolfe,  a  young  gentleman  of 
estimation  in  the  colony,  who  also  succeeded  in  gaining 
her  affections.  They  were  married,  with  the  consent  of 
Powhatan,  who  ever  after  continued  to  be  a  sincere  friend 
to  the  English.  This  led  to  a  treaty  with  the  Chiccaho- 
minies,  a  brave  and  powerful  tribe,  who  submitted  to  the 
English,  and  became  their  tributaries.  In  1613,  Sir  Tho- 
mas Dale  divided  a  considerable  portion  of  the  lands  into 
lots  of  three  acres  each,  and  granted  one  of  these  to  each 
individual  in  full  propriety. 

Although  they  were  still  required  to  devote  a  great  por- 
tion of  their  labour  to  the  public,  yet  a  sudden  change 
was  made  in  the  appearance  and  habits  of  the  colony. 
Industry  advanced  with  rapid  strides,  and  the  colonists 
were  no  more  fearful  of.  wanting  bread,  either  for  them- 
selves or  the  emigrants,  who  came  annually  from  England. 
Early  in  the  year  1614,  Sir  Thomas  Gates  returned  to 
England,  leaving  the  government  again  with  Sir  Thomas 
Dale.  In  1615,  fifty  acres  of  land  were  allotted  to  each 
individual,  which  was  actually  laid  off  and  delivered  to  the 
persons  having  titles  to  them,  who  were  permitted  to  ex- 
ercise over  them,  in  such  a  manner  as  was  agreeable  to 
themselves,  all  the  rights  of  ownership.  About  the  same 
time,  tobacco  was  first  cultivated  in  Virginia. 

This  plant  was  detested  by  the  king,  who  used  all  his 
nfluence  to  prevent  its  use.  He  even  wrote  a  pamphlet 
against  it,  which  he  styled  the  counterblast.  It  was  dis- 

3 


26  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

(countenanced  by  the  leading  members  of  parliament,  and 
also  by  the  company,  who  issued  edicts  against  its  culti- 
vation. And,  although  on  a  first  experiment,  it  was  un- 
pleasant in  its  taste,  and  disagreeable  in  its  effects,  it  sur- 
mounted all  difficulties,  and  has,  by  an  unaccountable  ca- 
price, been  brought  into  general  use,  and  become  one  of 
the  most  considerable  staples  of  America. 

In  the  spring  of  1616,  Sir  Thomas  Dale  sailed  for  Eng 
land,  having  placed  the  government  in  the' hands  of  George 
Yeardly,  his  deputy,  who  after  a  very  lax  administration 
of  one  year,  was  succeeded,  in  May,  1617,  by  Captain 
Argal,  who  had  been  appointed  deputy  governor  by  the 
company. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  talents  and  energy  of  mind,  but 
selfish,  haughty,  and  tyrannical.-  He  provided  with  abili- 
ty for  the  wants  of  the  colony.  Martial  law  was  continu- 
ed during  a  season  of  peace  ;  and  Mr.  Brewster,  who  was 
tried  under  this  arbitrary  system,  for  contemptuous  words 
spoken  against  the  governor,  was  sentenced  to  suffer 
death.  A  respite  of  execution  was  with  difficulty  obtain- 
ed, and  on  an  appeal  to  the  council  in  England,  the  sen- 
tence was  reversed.  While  martial  law  was,  according 
to  Stith,  the  common  law  of  the  land,  the  deputy  govern- 
or seems  to  have  been  the  sole  legislator.  His  edicts 
mark  the  severity  of  his  rule,  but  some  of  them  evince  an 
attention  to  the  public  safety. 

He  ordered,  that  merchandise  should  be  sold  at  the  ad- 
vance price  of  25  per  cent.,  and  tobacco  taken  in  payment 
at  the  rate  of  three  shillings  a  pcftind,  under  the  penalty 
of  three  year's  servitude  to  the  company ;  that  no  person 
should  traffic  with  the  Indians,  or  teach  them  the  use  of 
fire  arms,  under  pain  of  death ;  that  no  person  should 
hunt  deer  or  hogs  without  leave  from  the  governor ;  that 
no  person  should  shoot,  unless  in  his  own  defence,  until  a 
new  supply  of  ammunition  arrived,  on  pain  of  a  year's 
personal  service ;  that  no  one  should  go  on  board  the 
ships  without  the  governor's  leave;  that  every  person 
should  go  to  church  on  Sundays,  under  the  penalty  of 
slavery  during  that  present  week,  for  the  first  offence  ;  a 
month  for  the  second,  and  a  year  for  the  third. 

The  rigour  of  this  administration  necessarily  excited 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  27 

much  discontent,  and  the  complaints  of  the  Virginians  at 
length  made  their  way  to  the  company.  Lord  Delawar, 
being  now  dead,  Mr.  Yeardly  was  appointed  captain- 
general,  with  instructions  to  examine  with  attention  the 
wants  of  the  people,  and  to  redress  them. 

The  new  governor  arrived  in  April,  1619,  and  soon 
after,  to  the  inexpressible  joy  of  the  inhabitants,  declared 
his  intentions  to  convoke  a  colonial  assembly.  This  is  an 
important  era  in  the  history  of  Virginia.  Heretofore,  all 
legislative  authority  had  been  exercised,  either  by  the 
corporation  in  England,  or  by  their  officers  in  this  coun- 
try. The  people,  either  personally  or  by  their  represen- 
tatives, had  no  voice  in  the  government  of  themselves,  and 
their  most  important  concerns  were  decided  by  persons 
unacquainted  with  their  situation,  and  always  possessing 
interests  different  from  theirs. 

This  first  assembly  met  at  Jamestown  on  the  19th  of 
June,  1619.  The  colony  was  not  then  divided  into  coun- 
ties, and  the  members  were  elected  by  the  different  bo- 
roughs, amounting  to  seven  in  number.  The  assembly, 
composed  of  the  governor,  the  council,  and  burgesses, 
met  together  in  one  apartment,  and  there  debated  all  mat- 
ters thought  conducive  to  the  general  welfare.  The  laws 
then  enacted,  which,  it  is  believed,  are  no  longer  extant, 
were  transmitted  to  England  for  the  approbation  of  the 
treasurer  and  company,  and  were  said  to  have  been  judi- 
ciously formed. 

The  emigrations  from  England  continued  to  be  very 
considerable,  and  were  made  at  great  expense  to  the  com- 
pany ;  but  as  yet  few  females  had  ever  crossed  the  Atlan- 
tic. Men  without  wives  could  not  contemplate  Virginia 
as  a  place  of  permanent  residence,  and  proposed,  after 
amassing  some  wealth,  to  return  to  their  native  land.  To 
put  an  end  to  a  mode  of  thinking  in  its  effects  so  ruinous 
to  the  colony,  it  was  proposed  to  send  out  100  maids  as 
wives  for  the  colony ;  90  young  girls  were  transported  in 
the  beginning  of  the  year  1620,  and  60  more  in  the  sub- 
sequent year.  They  were  immediately  disposed  of  to  the 
young  planters. 

The  price  of  a  wife  was  estimated  first  at  one  hundred, 
and  afterwards  at  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  tobacco, 


28  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

then  selling  at  three  shillings  per  pound ;  and  a  debt  so 
contracted  was  made  of  greater  dignity  than  any  other. 
The  education  of  the  children  was  likewise  attended  to, 
and  several  steps  were  taken  towards  founding  a  college, 
afterwards  completely  established  by  William  and  Mary. 
About  the  same  time,  the  company  received  orders  from 
the  king  to  transport  to  Virginia  100  idle  and  dissolute 
persons,  then  in  the  custody  of  the  Knight  Marshal.  These 
men,  dispersed  through  the  colony,  became  a  useful  and 
acceptable  addition  of  labourers,  and  were  the  first  con- 
victs transported  to  America. 


CHAPTER  III. 

From  the  embarkation  of  the  Plymouth  Company  to  the 
close  of  the  Pequot  War. 

WE  have  seen  with  what  slow  and  difficult  steps  the 
first,  or  southern  colony,  although  supported  by  individu- 
als of  great  wealth  and  influence  in  the  nation,  advanced 
to  a  firm  and  secure  establishment.  Let  us  now  employ 
our  attention  in  viewing  the  establishment  of  the  Plymouth 
Company.  King  James  first  granted  Letters  Patent  to 
this  company,  in  1606,  to  possess  all  the  lands  in  America 
lying  between  34  and  45  degrees  of  north  latitude.  They 
applied  for  leave  to  go  under  the  royal  sanction,  but  were 
refused. 

At  length  they  obtained  permission  from  the  Virginia 
company  to  make  a  settlement  near  the  mouth  of  Hudson's 
River.  It  was  resolved  that  part  of  the  congregation  should 
remove  first,  and  the  remaining  part,  with  their  pastor, 
after  the  new  settlement  had  commenced.  This  produced 
a  scene  at  parting  not  to  be  described.  They  took  their 
leave  of  one  another,  which  proved  to  be  their  last  leave, 
Urith  many  of  them.  They  sailed  from  Holland  to  South- 
ampton, in  England,  where  they  met  the  other  ships,  and 
their  friends  who  were  to  accompany  them  from  England, 
in  July,  1620. 

On  the  fifth  of  August  they  sailed  from  Southampton, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  29 

but,  on  account  of  bad  weather,  and  the  leakiness  of  one 
of  their  vessels,  they  were  obliged  twice  to  put  back. 
The  poorer  vessel  they  were  compelled  to  leave,  while  as 
many  as  could  be  accommodated,  one  hundred  and  one 
persons  of  the  adventurers,  entered  on  board  the  other 
ship,  and  took  their  last  leave  of  the  land  of  their  fathers 
on  the  sixth  of  September.  Called  to  go  out  into  a  place 
which  they  should  after  receive  for  an  inheritance,  they 
obeyed ;  and  they  went  out,  not  knowing  whither  they 
went. 

After  a  tedious  voyage,  safely  housed  in  the  ark  which 
God  in  his  providence  had  directed  them  to  prepare,  pro- 
tected by  Him  who  directs  the  storm,  on  the  tenth  of  No- 
vember they  arrived  at  Cape  Cod.  The  Dutch,  intend- 
ing to  keep  Hudson's  River,  had  bribed  the  ship  master 
lo  carry  these  adventurers  so  far  northward,  that  they 
should  not  find  their  intended  place  of  residence.  They 
nad  found  land,  and  it  was  too  late  in  the  season  to  put  to 
sea  again;  they  were  in  a  good  harbour,  but  on  a  most 
barren  and  inhospitable  shore. 

On  their  arrival,  they  stepped  upon  the  strand,  and  with 
bended  knees,  gave  thanks  to  God,  who  had  preserved 
their  number  entire,  and  brought  them  in  safety  to  these 
unhallowed  shores.  Being  without  the  limits  of  their  pa- 
tent, as  to  civil  government,  they  were  in  a  state  of  na- 
ture. They  therefore  procured  and  signed  a  civil  com- 
pact, by  which  they  severally  bound  themselves  to  be 
obedient  to  all  ordinances  made  by  the  body,  acknowledg- 
ing the  King  of  Great  Britain  to  be  their  lawful  sovereign. 

They  say,  in  the  preamble,  "  Having  undertaken,  for 
the  glory  of  God,  and  advancement  of  the  Christian  faith, 
and  honour  of  our  king  and  country,  a  voyage,  to  plant 
the  first  colony  in  the  northern  parts  of  Virginia,  do,  by 
these  presents,"  &c.  This  instrument  was  executed  on 
board  their  ship,  on  the  eleventh  of  November.  Mr.  John 
Carver,  a  man  of  distinguished  abilities  and  eminent  piety, 
was  chosen  their  governor. 

The  prospects  now  before  them,  were  such  as  to  appal 
any  other  than  our  fathers.  In  a  most  howling  wilder- 
ness, inhabittfl  by  pagan  savages  and  wild  beasts,  a  drea- 
ry winter  approaching,  no  shelter  from  the  tempest,  and 


SO  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

as  yet,  no  place  of  abode.  They  had  one  resting  place, 
and  that  was  all.  Their  trust  was  in  Him  who  hath  said 
to  his  chosen,  The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  under- 
neath are  the  everlasting  arms ;  and  he  shall  thrust  out 
the  enemy  from  before  thee,  and  shall  say,  destroy  them. 

After  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  find  a  convenient 
place  for  their  residence,  a  party  sent  out  for  discovery, 
entered  the  harbour  of  Plymouth.  In  a  severe  storm,  on  a 
December  night,  having,  with  their  little  bark,  narrowly 
escaped  a  shipwreck,  they  wrere  cast  upon  an  island  in  the 
harbour.  This  was  on  Friday  night.  The  next  day,  they 
dried  their  clothes,  concluding  to  remain  on  this  little 
island  till  after  the  Sabbath.  This  little  band,  about  twen* 
ty  in  number,  observed  "the  next  day  as  a  Sabbath,  which 
was  the  first  Sabbath  ever  observed  in  a  religious  manner 
on  the  New-England  shore. 

Having  examined  the  harbour,  they  returned  to  the  ship, 
which  weighed  anchor,  and  brought  their  consecrated  car* 
go  in  safety.  Here  these  pious  pilgrims  landed  on  the 
twenty-second  of  December,  1620.  They  called  the  place 
Plymouth,  the  name  of  the  town  from  which  they  last  sail- 
ed in  England.  They  now  had  a  country  and  a  home* 
but  they  had  a  better  country  on  high. 

They  had  now  to  contend  with  the  inclement  seasons^ 
with  innumerable  privations,  in  a  constant  fear  of  a  savage 
foe.  But  God  had  prepared  their  way  before  them.  A 
desolating  plague,  which  prevailed  among  the  natives 
about  three  years  before,  had  nearly  depopulated  those 
parts  of  the  country.  On  this  account,  they  received  very 
little  molestation  from  the  savages  for  many  years.  Had 
they  been  carried  to  Hudson's  River,  according  to  their 
intention,  where  the  savages  were  numerous,  there  is 
much  reason  to  believe  the  little  colony  would  have  been 
cut  off.  Infinite  wisdom  directed  their  course  to  their 
prepared  habitation.  We  have  heard  with  our  ears,  O 
God,  our  fathers  have  told  us,  how  thou  didst  drive  out  the 
heathen  with  thy  hand,  and  planted  them. 

The  severities  of  the  season,  their  unwholesome  food, 
and  their  incessant  labours,  brought  upon  this  little  flock 
a  general  and  very  mortal  sickness,  so  th*  forty-six  of 
their  number  died  before  the  opening  of  the  ensuing 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  31 

spring.  Of  those  who  survived,  the  most  had  been  se- 
verely sick.  Who  can  contemplate  this  little  band,  in  an 
uncultivated  wilderness,  with  no  promise  of  support  from 
their  mother  country,  exposed  to  the  inclement  skies  of 
a  dreary  winter,  with  scanty  supplies  of  food,  utterly  un- 
skilled and  destitute  of  the  means  for  the  cultivation  of  a 
new  country,  with  no  security  for  future  harvests ;  sur- 
rounded with  a  savage  enemy,  whose  seats  and  prowess 
they  could  not  know ;  visited  with  a  raging  disease,  com- 
mitting, at  times,  two  or  three  in  a  day  to  the  grave ;  of 
the  living,  scarcely  enough  who  had  strength  to  perform 
the  rites  of  sepulture ;  without  despondency,  firmly  de- 
termined to  abide  the  just  appointments  of  Heaven — and 
not  admire  a  virtue  which  the  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
alone  can  furnish,  and  a  patriotism  to  which  the  canonized 
heroes  of  Rome  could  never  attain? 

Had  their  object  been  to  obtain  a  property  for  them- 
selves, and  for  their  posterity,  or  to  obtain  a  name  among 
the  heroes  of  enterprise,  they  had  sunk  under  their  suf- 
ferings. Their  souls  were  strengthened  with  other  pros- 
pects. They  confided  in  the  wisdom  of  Heaven ;  they 
firmly  believed  that  the  Most  High  would  here  plant  and 
maintain  his  church ;  that  he  would  make  the  American 
wilderness  like  Eden,  and  her  desert  like  the  garden  of 
the  Lord. 

Buoyed  up  by  faith,  strengthened  by  the  promises,  ob- 
stacles vanished  before  them.  They  knew  God  had  often 
led  his  church  into  the  wilderness,  but  he  had  never  for* 
snken  her.  He  raised  up  the  righteous  man  from  the 
east,  brought  him  to  a  strange  country,  the  Canaanite  was 
then  in  the  land,  but  he  gave  them  as  the  dust  to  his 
sword,  and  as  driven  stubble  to  his  bow. 

On  the  fifth  of  April,  after  their  arrival,  the  Plymouth 
Company  were  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  their  excellent 
governor,  and  a  deacon  of  the  church,  Mr.  Carver.  Mr. 
Bradford,  a  gentleman  of  distinguished  worth,  was  chosen 
to  succeed  him,  and,  excepting  four  years,  he  was  annu- 
ally elected  to  the  office  till  his  death,  in  1657.  A  little 
before  the  death  of  Mr.  Carver,  the  Indian  Sachem,  Mas- 
sasoit,  came  into  Plymouth  in  a  friendly  manner,  and  en- 
tered into  a  treaty  of  friendship  with  the  colony,  «rhich 


32  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

he  observed  inviolably  till  his  death.  He  was  father  oi 
the  famous  Sachem,  King  Philip. 

After  the  first  desolating  sickness,  the  people  of  Ply- 
mouth were,  generally,  very  healthy,  and  the  most  of  the 
first  planters  who  survived  that  epidemic,  lived  to  old  age. 
Their  privations,  however,  and  their  sufferings,  insepara- 
ble from  the  circumstances  of  their  situation,  were  grout 
in  the  extreme.  Their  property  was,  principally,  held  in 
common  stock  for  the  support  of  the  whole.  And  the 
wants  of  the  few  first  years,  consumed  most  of  their  stores. 
Through  fear  of  the  natives,  having  received  some  threat- 
ening intimations  from  some  of  the  tribes,  they  wore  ne* 
cessitated  to  erect  a  fort,  to  empale  their  whole  village, 
and  to  keep  a  constant  guard. 

In  their  excursions  to  find  a  proper  place  for  settlement, 
while  their  ship  lay  at  the  cape,  they  found  about  ten 
bushels  of  Indian  corn  which  had  been  buried,  for  which 
they  afterwards  paid  the  owners,  which  helped  to  pre- 
serve their  lives  the  first  winter,  and  afford  them  seed  for 
planting  in  the  ensuing  spring.  Some,  friendly  Indians 
taught  them  the  manner  of  raising  their  corn,  but  their 
crop  was  very  unequal  to  their  necessities.  Mr.  Hutch*- 
inson  is  of  opinion,  that  no  English  grain  was  raised  in 
the  colony  previous  to  the  year  1633,  when  a  few  ears  of 
rye  were  produced. 

The  first  domestic  cattle  were  brought  to  the  colony  in 
1624;  previous  to  which  they  had  none  for  milk  or  labour. 
The  most  credible  historians  affirm,  that  these  pilgrims 
subsisted,  in  repeated  instances,  for  days  and  weeks  toge- 
ther, without  bread,  feeding  upon  the  wild  nuts  of  the 
woods,  and  shell  fish.  Their  difficulties  for  clothing  were 
equally  great.  Some  of  the  ancient  writers  intimate, 
that  the  great  mortality  in  the  first  winter  appears  to  have 
been  the  means,  under  a  wise  Providence,  of  preserving 
the  colony  from  perishing  by  famine. 

The  second  summer  after  their  arrival,  the  settlement 
was  threatened  with  a  famine  by  a  severe  drought.  From 
the  third  week  in  May,  to  the  middle  of  July,  there  was 
no  rain.  Their  corn,  for  ^vhich  they  had  made  their 
utmost  exertions,  withered  under  the  heat  of  a  scorching 
sun ;  the  greater  part  of  it  appeared  irrecoverably  lost.  The 


THE  UNITED  STATES  33 

Indians,  seeing  their  prospects,  observed  they  would  soon 
be  subdued  by  famine,  when  they  should  find  them  an 
easy  prey. 

A  public  fast  was  appointed  and  observed  with  great 
solemnity.  The  morning,  and  most  of  the  day,  was  clear 
and  hot,  but,  towards  evening,  the  clouds  collected,  and 
like  the  gracious  influences  of  God,  the  rain  descended  in 
moderate,  yet  copious  showers.  This  revived  their  expi- 
ring crop,  and  produced  a  plentiful  harvest.  After  which, 
they  observed  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving.  I  believe 
this  to  be  the  origin  of  our  annual  thanksgivings.  This 
event  made  an  astonishing  impression  on  the  minds  of 
the  natives,  who  saAv  and  acknowledged  that  the  God  of 
Christians  was  great,  and  good,  and  a  hearer  of  prayer.* 

In  the  autumn  of  1621,  the  plantation  received  an  ac- 
cession of  settlers  of  about  thirty-five,  of  their  friends  from 
Holland.  In  the  year  1(525,  their  venerable  and  beloved 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson,  died  at  Leyden,  in  the 
fiftieth  year  of  his  age.  He  was^  thus  prevented  from 
ever  seeing  his  much  loved  American  church.  After  his 
death,  the  most  of  his  congregation  came  over  to  Ply- 
mouth. 

The  planters  who  first  came  to  Plymouth  were  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  William  Brewster,  a  ruling  elder  in  the 
church,  who  supplied,  in  a  good  degree,  the  absence  of 
their  pastor.  He  was  a  man  of  abilities  and  learning, 
having  been  liberally  educated  at  the  University  of  Cam- 
bridge, and  of  great  piety.  Being  an  able  and  useful 
preacher,  he  served  the  congregation  in  that  capacity  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  till  his  death,  about  twenty-three 
years  after  the  first  settlement.  The  congregation,  how- 
ever, enjoyed  the  labours  of  other  ministers  during  this 
period. 

This  little  colony  continued  for  many  years  in  harmo- 
ny, and  were,  perhaps,  as  eminent  as  any  people  which 
have  appeared  in  modern  time,  for  continuing  steadfastly 
in  the  apostles'  doctrine  and  fellowship,  and  in  breaking 
of  bread,  and  in  prayers. 

In  1621,   the  Virginia  company  passed  an  ordinance 

*  See  Morton,  and  others. 


34  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

establishing  the  constitution  of  the  colony.  This  pro- 
vided, that  henceforth  there  should  be  two  supreme  coun- 
cils in  Virginia,  the  one  to  be  called  the  council  of  state, 
to  be  appointed  and  displaced  by  the  treasurer  and  com- 
pany, and  to  assist  the  governor  with  advice  on  executive 
subjects  ;  the  other  to  be  denominated  the  general  assem- 
bly, and  to  consist  of  the  governor,  the  council,  and  two 
burgesses,  to  be  chosen  for  the  present  by  the  inhabitants 
of  every  town. 

The  assembly  was  empowered  to  consult  and  determine 
on  matters  respecting  the  public  weal.  It  was  declared, 
that  no  acts  passed  by  the  assembly  should  be  in  force 
until  confirmed  by  the  general  court  in  England,  and  the 
ratification  returned  under  its  seal,  and  that,  on  the 
other  hand,  no  order  of  the  general  court  should  bind 
the  colony  until  assented  to  by  the  assembly.  In  162^, 
the  controversy  which  had  for  some  time  existed  be- 
tween the  crown  and  the  company,  concerning  the  im- 
portation of  tobacco,  was  at  length  adjusted  by  amicable 
agreement. 

The  king  had  demanded  high  duties  on  that  article, 
while  he  admitted  its  importation  from  the  dominions  of 
Spain,  and  had  also  restrained  the  company  from  trans- 
porting it  directly  from  Virginia  to  their  warehouses  in 
Holland,  to  which  expedient  his  exactions  had  driven 
them.  It  was  now  agreed,  that  they  should  enjoy  the 
sole  right  of  importing  that  commodity  into  the  kingdom, 
for  which  they  should  pay  a  duty  of  nine  pence  per  pound, 
in  lieu  of  all  charges,  and  that  the  whole  productions  of 
the  colony  should  be  brought  to  England.  The  industry 
of  the  colony  had  now  greatly  increased.  At  peace  with 
the  Indians,  their  settlements  had  extended  not  only  along 
the  banks  of  James  and  York  rivers,  but  to  the  Rappa- 
hannoc,  and  even  to  the  Potowmac. 

It  now  became  extremely  inconvenient  to  bring  all 
causes  to  Jamestown  before  the  governor  and  council. 
Thus  originated  the  present  county  courts  of  Virginia. 
In  this  year  the  cup  of  prosperity,  of  which  the  colony 
now  began  to  taste,  was  dashed  from  their  lips,  by  an 
event  which  shook  to  its  foundation,  and  nearly  destroyed 
the  colony.  In  the  year  1618,  Powhatan,  the  most  pow~ 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  35 

erful  of  the  Indian  kings  in  Virginia,  who,  after  the  mar- 
riage of  his  daughter  to  Mr.  Rolfe,  had  remained  faithful 
to  the  English,  departed  this  life,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Opechancanough,  a  bold  and  cunning  chief,  remarkable 
for  his  jealousy  and  hatred  of  the  new  settlers ;  but  for  a 
considerable  time  the  general  peace  remained  undisturbed. 

The  Indians  were  furnished  with  fire  arms,  and  taught 
the  use  of  them  ;  they  were  admitted  at  all  times  freely 
into  '^e  habitations  of  the  English,  as  harmless  visitants  ; 
were  fed  at  their  tables,  and  lodged  in  their  chambers. 
The  22d  of  March,  was  designated  as  the  day  on  which  all 
the  English  were  to  be  at  the  same  instant  attacked. 
Thus,  in  one  hour,  and  almost  at  the  same  instant,  fell 
347  men,  women,  and  children.  The  massacre  would 
have  been  still  greater,  had  not  information  been  given 
the  preceding  night,  to  a  Mr.  Pace,  by  an  Indian,  who 
disclosed  to  him  the  plot. — He  immediately  carried  the 
intelligence  to  Jamestown,  and  the  alarm  was  given  to 
some  of  the  nearest  settlements,  which  were  thereby 
saved. 

As  soon  as  intelligence  reached  England  of  these  cala- 
mities of  the  sufferers,  relief  was  ordered.  Arms  from 
the  tower  were  delivered  to  the  treasurer  and  company, 
and  several  vessels  were  immediately  despatched  with  ar- 
ticles for  their  relief.  While  the  Virginians  were  mourn- 
ing their  losses,  the  Plymouth  company  began  to  experi- 
ence the  distress  of  famine.  By  the  time  their  planting 
was  finished,  1623,  their  provisions  were  so  far  exhausted, 
that  they  had  neither  bread  nor  corn,  for  three  or  four 
months.  A  drought  continued  from  May  until  some  time 
in  July.  Under  these  afllictions,  they  appointed  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer,  to  humble  themselves  before  God. — 
But  a  plentiful  harvest  soon  followed,  which  was  noticed 
by  a  day  of  thanksgiving. 

Mr.  White,  a  non-conformist  minister  at  Dorchester, 
who  had  prevented  some  few  of  his  countrymen  who  had 
settled  around  the  Bay  at  Massachusetts,  from  returning 
to  England,  by  his  assurances  of  procuring  tl-em  relief  and 
assistance,  formed  by  great  exertions  an  association  of 
several  gentlemen,  who  had  imbibed  puritanical  opinions, 
for  the  purpose  of  conducting  thither  a  co)  »>v«  ind  ren- 


36  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  CF 

(lering  it  an  asylum  from  the  persecution  of  his  own  per- 
suasion. In  prosecution  of  their  views,  a  treaty  was  con- 
cluded with  the  council  of  Plymouth,  for  the  purchase  of 
part  of  New-England ;  and  that  corporation,  in  March, 
1627,  conveyed  to  Sir  Henry  Roswell,  and  others,  all  that 
pait  of  New-England  lying  three  miles  to  the  south  of 
Charles  River,  and  three  miles  north  of  Merrmiack  River, 
and  extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  south  sea. 

A  small  number  of  planters  and  servants  were  soon  af- 
terwards despatched  under  Endicot,  a-  deep  enthusiast, 
who,  in  September,  1628,  laid  the  foundation  of  Salem, 
the  first  permanent  town  in  Massachusetts.  In  the  year 
1629,  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  company,  under 
the  sanction  of  the  royal  charter,  they  resolved  a  second 
embarkation  for  their  new  colony,  to  support  the  expenses 
of  which,  it  was  resolved,  that  every  person  who  should 
subscribe  fifty  pounds,  should  be  entitled  to  two  hundred 
acres  of  land,  as  the  first  dividend. 

Five  ships  were  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  bein£- 
laden  with  cattle  and  other  necessaries,  for  the  supply  of 
the  colony,  with  three  hundred  persons,  men,  women. 
and  children,  they  sailed  from  the  Isle  of  "Wight,  in  May. 
and  arrived  at  Salem  in  June,  where  they  found  Endicot. 
to  whom  they  brought  a  confirmation  of  his  commission 
as  governor.  The  colony  now  consisted  of  three  hundred 
persons,  of  whom  one  hundred  removed  and  settled  the 
town  of  Charlestown  ;  and  the  remainder  continued  at 
Salem.  Mr.  Hugginson  and  Mr.  Skelton,  distinguished 
for  their  learning  and  piety,  both  of  them,  resolved  to  lend 
important  services  in  laying  the  foundation  of  the  Ameri- 
can Church.  These  faithful  servants  of  Christ  cordially 
engaged  in  the  great  design  ;  they  embarked  with  the  se- 
cond party,  and  arrived  at  Salem  in  1629. 

Early  in  the  following  year,  John  Winthrop,  who  had 
been  appointed  governor,  and  Thomas  Dudley,  deputy 
governor,  with  one  thousand  five  hundred  persons,  em- 
barked on  board  of  seventeen  vessels,  at  an  expense  of 
upwards  of  twenty  thousand  pounds,  and  arrived  at 
Salem  in  July,  1630.  Dissatisfied  with  this  situation,  they 
explored  the  country  in  quest  of  a  better  station,  and  sel- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  37 

tied  in  many  places  around  the  bay  ;  and  laid  the  founda* 
tion  of  several  towns  ;  among  others,  of  Boston. 

On  the  arrival  of  Gov.  Winthrop,  in  July,  who  was 
from  that  time  to  his  death,  the  head  and  father  of  the  co- 
lony, he  found  the  plantation  in  a  suffering  state.  In  the 
preceding  autumn,  the  colony  contained  about  three  hun- 
dred inhabitants  ;  eighty  of  them  died,  and  a  great  part  of 
the  survivors  were  in  a  weak,  sickly  state.  Their  supply 
of  corn  was  not  sufficient  for  more  than  a  fortnight,  and 
their  provisions  nearly  exhausted.  Friday,  February  6th, 
was  appointed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  ;  but  on  the 
fifth  of  February,  a  ship  arrived  with  provisions,  and  a 
day  of  thanksgiving  was  appointed  by  the  governor. 

The  succeeding  winter  commenced  in  December,  with 
great  severity ;  few  of  the  houses  which  had  been  erected 
were  comfortable.  Unused  to  such  severities  of  climate, 
the  people  suffered  severely  from  the  cold.  Many  of  them 
died  from  the  cold.  On  the  opening  of  the  spring  of  1631, 
health  was  generally  restored  in  the  settlements ;  but  the 
colony  was  greatly  impoverished.  All  the  provisions 
that  were  brought  from  England,  were  purchased  at  a  very 
high  rate.  By  the  length  of  the  passage,  and  the  severity 
of  the  winter,  the  greater  part  of  their  cattle  died.  The 
materials  for  building,  and  implements  of  labour,  were  ob- 
tained with  great  difficulty  and  expense.  This  year,  great 
exertions  were  made  for  a  crop  of  Indian  corn,  which  was 
their  whole  dependance ;  and  it  pleased  God  to  give  them 
an  abundant  harvest. 

In  the  commencement  of  all  the  individual  settlements, 
the  planters  were  mindful  of  their  great  errand  into  the 
wilderness  ;  and  directed  their  first  exertions  to  the  esta 
blishmentofthe  church  of  Christ,  and  the  institution  of  the 
gospel.  The  first  church  after  the  one  at  Salem  was 
gathered  at  Charlestown,  August  27th,  1630.  Soon  after 
this  a  church  was  organized  at  Dorchester.  The  next 
was  at  Boston,  one  at  Roxbury,  one  at  Lynn,  and  one  at 
Watertown.  In  less  than  two  years  from  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  church  in  Salem,  there  were  in  the  colon? 
seven  churches,  which  were  indeed  golden  candlesticks. 

In  1633  came  over  Mr.  Haynes,  afterwards  the  first 
governor  of  Connecticut,  and  Mr.  Stone,  Mr.  Booker, 

4 


38  UNIVERSAL  nusTORY  OF 

and  Mr.  Cotton,  three  of  the  most  eminent  lights  of  the 
New-England  churches. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  an  order  was  made  by  the 
king  in  council,  to  stop  the  ships  at  that  time  ready  to 
sail,  freighted  with  passengers  and  provisions  for  New- 
England.  But  this  order  seems  never  to  have  been  strictly 
executed,  as  the  emigrations  still  continued,  without  any 
sensible  diminution. 

Let  me  now  call  the  attention  of  the  reader  to  the  set 
tlement  of  Connecticut.  The  first  discovery  of  the  coun- 
try of  Connecticut  River  was  made  by  the  enterprising 
people  of  Plymouth,  in  1633.  The  Plymouth  people  de- 
termined to  undertake  the  enterprise  at  their  own  risk. — 
Preparations  were  made  for  erecting  a  trading  house,  and 
establishing  a  small  company  upon  the  river. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  master  of  a  vessel  from  Massa- 
chusetts, who  was  trading  at  New-Netherlands,  showed 
to  the  Dutch  Governor  the  commission  the  English  had  to 
trade  and  settle  in  New-England ;  and  that  the  king  had 
granted  these  parts  to  his  own  subjects ;  he  also  desired 
that  the  Dutch  would  not  build  in  Connecticut.  The 
Dutch  governor  requested  that  the  English  would  not  set- 
tle in  Connecticut  until  the  affair  should  be  determined  be- 
tween them.  This  appears  to  have  been  a  piece  of  po 
licy  in  the  Dutch  governor,  to  keep  the  English  back  until 
the  Dutch  had  got  a  firm  footing  upon  the  river. 

In  September,  several  vessels  went  into  Connecticut 
River  to  trade.  John  Oldham,  from  Dorchester,  with  a 
few  men,  travelled  through  Connecticut,  to  view  the  coun- 
try and  trade  Avith  the  Indians.  He  found  that  the  In- 
dian hemp  grew  in  great  abundance  in  the  meadows,  and 
purchased  a  quantity  of  it,  which,  upon  trial,  was  found  to 
exceed  that  which  grew  in  England.  William  Holmes, 
of  Plymouth,  with  his  company,  having  prepared  the  frame 
of  a  house,  and  boards  and  materials  for  covering  it,  imme- 
diately put  them  on  board  a  vessel,  and  sailed  for  Con- 
necticut. 

When  he  came  into  the  river,  he  found  that  the  Dutch 
had  got  in  before  him,  and  made  a  light  fort,  and  planted 
two  pieces  of  cannon  at  the  mouth  of  the  little  river  since 
called  Hartford.  The  Dutch  forbade  Holmes  going  up 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  39 

the  river — stood  by  their  cannon,  and  ordered  him  to  strike 
his  colours,  or  they  would  fire  upon  him  ;  but  he  was  a 
man  of  spirit,  and  assured  them  that  he  had  a  commis- 
sion from  the  governor  of  Plymouth,  to  go  up  the  river, 
and  go  he  \vould.  They  still  threatened,  but  he  pro- 
ceeded— landed  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  erected 
his  house  a  little  below  the  mouth  of  the  little  river  in 
Windsor. 

This  was  the  first  house  erected  in  Connecticut.  It 
was  covered  with  the  utmost  despatch,  and  well  fortified. 
The  Sachems,  who  were  original  owners  of  the  soil,  had 
been  driven  from  this  point  of  the  country  by  the  Pe- 
quots,  and  were  now  carried  home  on  board  Holmes'  ves- 
sel. The  Dutch,  about  the  same  time,  erected  a  trading 
house  at  Hartford.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that 
Holmes  and  his  company  erected  and  fortified  their  house, 
ind  kept  it  afterwards.  The  Dutch,  before  the  Plymouth 
people  took  possession  of  the  river,  had  been  invited  to 
trade  with  them  at  Connecticut ;  but  when  they  found  that 
they  were  preparing  for  a  settlement  there,  they  repented 
of  the  invitation,  and  did  all  in  their  power  to  prevent 
them. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  the  Dutch  purchased  about  twenty 
acres  of  land  at  Hartford,  of  a  Pequod  captain.  Of  this 
the  Dutch  took  possession  ;  they  pro  tested  against  Holmes, 
the  builder  of  the  trading  house.  Some  time  afterwards, 
the  Dutch  governor  dispatched  a  reinforcement  from  fort 
Amsterdam  to  Connecticut,  designing  to  drive  Holmes 
and  his  company  from  the  river.  A  band  of  seventy 
men  assaulted  the  Plymouth  house ;  but  they  found  it  too 
well  fortified,  and  gave  up  their  design. 

In  November  and  December,  the  small  pox  raged 
among  the  Indians ;  two  Sachems,  with  a  great  part  of 
their  Indians,  died.  When  their  own  people  forsook 
them,  the  English,  who  lived  near  them,  went  to  their  wig- 
wams, and  ministered  to  them.  Some  families  spent  al- 
most their  whole  time  with  them.  One  Englishman 
buried  thirty  of  their  dead  in  one  day. 

In  1634,  at  a  meeting  of  the  General  Court  in  Sep- 
tember, the  people  of  Newtown  made  application  for 
liberty  to  remove  to  Connecticut  river.  Mr.  Hooker, 


40  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

acting  as  principal  advocate  for  the  people,  the  court  re- 
fused to  give  their  consent;  and  the  design  was  given 
over.  In  1635,  permission  was  granted,  on  condition 
that  the  new  settlement  should  continue  subject  to  the  ju- 
risdiction of  Massachusetts.  The  people  of  Newtown, 
Dorchester,  and  Watertown,  now  began  to  prepare  for 
their  new  habitation.  In  the  course  of  the  season,  seve- 
ral people  went  to  Connecticut  river;  some  by  water, 
some  through  the  wilderness. 

The  Dorchester  men  sat  down  at  Windsor,  near  the 
Plymouth  trading  house.  They  purchased  the  building 
and  land  owned  by  the  Plymouth  people.  The  people 
from  Newtown,  of  whom  but  few  removed  till  the  follow- 
ing year,  settled  at  Hartford.  The  Watertown  settlers 
began  the  town  of  Wethersfield.  In  1636,  about  one 
hundred  persons,  men,  women,  and  children,  led  by  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Hooker  and  Stone,  together  with  their 
horses,  cattle,  and  swine,  commenced  their  journey  through 
the  wilderness  to  Connecticut  River.  They  travelled 
about  two  weeks  on  foot,  during  which  time  they  lived 
npon  the  milk  of  their  cows. 

By  the  25th  of  November,  Connecticut  River  was  frozen 
over ;  heavy  falls  of  snow  succeeded,  and  the  season  was 
very  severe.  Several  small  vessels,  which  had  been  laden 
with  their  furniture  and  provisions,  sailed  from  Boston, 
and  were  wrecked  on  the  coast.  By  the  last  of  Novem- 
ber provisions  began  to  fail  in  the  settlements  on  the  river, 
and  death  looked  them  sternly  in  the  face.  Thirteen  in 
one  company,  driven  by  hunger,  attempted  their  way  in 
this  severe  season.  In  passing  the  river  one  of  their 
company  fell  through  the  ice,  and  was  drowned,  the., other 
twelve  were  kept  from  perishing  by  the  Indians,  and  ar- 
rived in  Massachusetts  in  ten  days. 

Their  distress  was  so  great,  that  by  the  first  of  Decem- 
ber a  considerable  part  of  the  men  settlers  were  obliged 
to  abandon  their  habitations.  As  the  only  means  of  pre- 
serving their  lives,  about  seventy  persons,  men,  women, 
and  children,  left  their  settlements,  and  went  down  the 
river,  in  hopes  of  meeting  with  their  provisions.  As 
their  expectation  failed,  they  went  on  board  the  Rebecca, 
lying  near  the  mouth  of  the  river.  This,  but  two  days 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  41 

before,  was  frozen  in  twenty  miles  up  the  river,  but  was 
released  by  the  falling  of  a  small  rain,  and  reached  Boston 
in  five  days.  Had  it  not  been  for  a  very  quick  passage, 
the  people  must  have  perished. 

The  people  that  kept  their  situations  on  the  river  suf- 
fered extremely.  After  all  the  help  they  were  able  to 
obtain  by  hunting,  and  from  the  Indians,  they  were  obliged 
to  subsist  on  acorns,  malt,  and  grain.  The  number  of 
cattle  that  could  not  be  got  over  before  winter,  living 
upon  what  they  found  in  the  woods  and  meadows,  win- 
tered better  than  those  which  were  brought  over ;  how- 
ever, a  great  number  of  them  perished.  Early  in  the 
spring,  those  who  went  from  Connecticut  to  spend  the 
winter  with  their  friends,  began  to  return  to  their  new 
habitations. 

The  first  court  held  in  Connecticut,  was  held  at  New- 
town,  April  26th,  1636. 

Towards  the  last  of  the  year  1635,  Mr.  Winthrop,  son 
of  the  Massachusetts  governor,  the  worthy  character  who 
afterwards  procured  the  Connecticut  charter,  arrived  at 
Boston,  with  a  commission  from  Lords  Say  and  Seal, 
Lord  Brook,  and  others,  to  take  possession  of  Connecti- 
cut River,  and  build  a  fort,  which  they  had  named  Say- 
brook. 

In  a  few  days  a  Dutch  vessel  appeared  off  the  harbour, 
sent  to  take  possession  of  the  entrance  of  the  river,  and 
erect  fortifications;  but  the  English  had  by  this  time 
mounted  two  cannon,  and  prevented  their  landing.  Thus, 
providentially,  was  this  fine  tract  of  country  preserved  for 
onr  venerable  ancestors,  and  their  posterity. 

In  September,  1636,  Mr.  Pynchion,  with  a  part  of  the 
people  of  Roxbury,  began  the  settlement  of  the  town  of 
Springfield;  but  no  sooner  had  the  English  begun  to 
trade,  and  make  settlements  in  Connecticut,  than  the  Pe- 
quods  began  to  murder,  and  kill  their  cattle.  In  1634 
they  murdered  Captains  Stone  and  Norton,  with  their 
whole  crew,  consisting  of  eight  men ;  they  then  plunder- 
ed and  sunk  the  vessel. 

In  November  following,  the  Pequods  sent  a  messenger 
to  Boston,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  peace  with  the 
English.  He  made  an  offer  of  a  great  quantity  of  beaver 

4* 


42  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

skins,  to  persuade  the  governor  to  enter  into  a  league  with 
them.  The  governor  assured  them  that  the  English  were 
willing  to  make  peace,  on  condition  that  they  would  give 
up  the  murderers  of  Captain  Stone  and  his  men  ;  the  In- 
dians assured  him  that  the  murderers  were  all  dead  but 
two,  and  they  would  give  them  up  to  justice  ;  they  offered 
to  give  up  their  right  at  Connecticut  river,  if  the  English 
desired  to  settle  there,  and  engaged  to  assist  them  as  far 
as  was  in  their  power,  in  making  settlements  ;  they  also 
agreed  that  they  would  give  the  English  forty  beaver,  and 
thirty  otter  skins.  The  governor  and  council  entered 
into  a  treaty  with  them  on  the  conditions  they  proposed. 
Whatever  their  designs  were  at  that  time,  they  soon  after- 
wards became  more  and  more  mischievous,  hostile  and 
bloody. 

In  1636,  John  Oldham  was  murdered  near  Block 
Island.  He  had  with  him  two  boys,  and  two  Narraganset 
Indians ;  these  were  taken  and  carried  off.  John  Gallup, 
as  he  was  going  from  Connecticut  to  Boston,  discovered 
Mr.  Oldham's  vessel  full  of  Indians,  and  saw  a  canoe  go 
from  her  laden  with  goods.  Suspecting  they  had  murder- 
ed Mr.  Oldham,  he  hailed  them,  but  received  no  answer. 
Gallup  was  a  bold  man  ;  and  although  he  had  but  one  man 
and  two  boys  with  him,  he  immediately  bore  down  upon 
her,  and  fired  duck  shot  so  thick  among  them,  that  he 
soon  cleared  the  deck. 

The  Indians  all  got  under  the  hatches.  He  then  stood 
off,  bore  down  upon  her,  with  a  brisk  gale,  and  nearly 
overset  her,  which  so  frightened  the  Indians  that  several 
jumped  overboard,  and  were  drowned  ;  he  then  stood  off, 
and,  running  down  upon  her  the  second  time,  raked  her 
fore  and  aft  with  his  shot,  and,  running  down  upon  her  a 
third  time,  he  gave  her  such  a  shock,  that  five  more  jump- 
ed overboard  and  were  drowned.  He  then  boarded  her, 
and  took  two  of  the  Indians  and  bound  them.  Two  or 
three  others,  armed  with  swords,  in  a  little  room  below, 
could  not  be  driven  out.  Mr.  Oldham's  corpse  was  found 
on  board ;  his  head  split,  and  the  body  mangled  in  a  bar- 
barous manner. 

Gallup  ancj  his  men,  then,  as  decently  as  possible,  put 
the  corpse  into  the  sea.  After  taking  her  rigging  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES,  43 

goods,  which  had  not  been  carried  off,  they  were  obliged 
to  let  her  go  adrift,  and  she  was  lost.  The  Indians  who 
committed  the  murder  were  chiefly  Block  Islanders  and 
Narragansets.  The  governor  and  council  of  Massachu- 
setts despatched  Captain  Endicott,  with  ninety  volunteers, 
to  avenge  the  murder. 

The  Narraganset  Sachems  sent  home  Mr.  Oldham's 
two  boys,  and  made  peace  with  them ;  but  the  other  In- 
dians made  no  compensation.  Captain  Endicott  was 
ordered  to  proceed  to  Block  Island,  put  the  men  to  the 
sword,  and  take  possession  of  the  island,  but  to  spare  the 
women  and  children.  They  sailed  from  Boston  25th  of 
August.  When  they  arrived  at  Block  Island,  forty  or 
fifty  Indians  appeared  on  shore,  and  opposed  his  landing. 
After  a  short  skirmish,  the  Indians  fled  to  the  woods. 

After  the  English  had  spent  two  days  on  the  islands, 
burning  the  wigwams,  destroying  the  corn,  and  staving 
their  canoes,  they  sailed  for  the  Pequot  country:  when 
they  had  arrived  in  Pequot  harbour,  Captain  Endicott  ac- 
quainted the  Pequots  with  his  design ;  in  a  few  hours 
about  three  hundred  Pequots  appeared  upon  the  shore ; 
but  as  soon  as  they  were  fully  informed  of  his  business, 
they  began  to  withdraw  into  the  woods.  He  landed  his 
men  on  both  sides  of  the  harbour,  burnt  their  wigwams, 
destroyed  their  canoes,  killed  one  or  two  Indians,  and  re- 
turned to  Boston. 

This  measure,  instead  of  allaying,  seemed  to  increase 
their  hostility ;  several  persons  were  taken  near  Saybrook 
fort,  and  tortured  with  savage  barbarity.  About  the  be- 
ginning of  October,  the  enemy  concealed  themselves  in 
the  grass  in  the  meadow,  and  surprised  five  of  the  garri- 
son at  Saybrook,  as  they  were  carrying  home  their  hay. 
One  Butterfield  was  taken  and  tortured  to  death,  the  rest 
made  their  escape.  Eight  or  ten  days  after,  Joseph  Fil- 
ley,  a  master  of  a  small  vessel,  was  taken  as  he  was  going 
down  the  Connecticut  River.  He  came  to  anchor  about 
three  miles  above  the  fort,  and  taking  a  canoe,  and  one 
man  with  him,  went  a  fowling. 

No  sooner  had  he  discharged  his  piece,  than  a  large 
number  of  Pequots,  arising  from  their  concealment,  took 
him,  and  killed  his  companion.  The  Indians  used  him  in 


44  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  most  barbarous  manner,  first  cutting  off  his  hands 
and  then  his  feet,  thus  torturing  him  to  death.  As  he  did 
not  groan,  they  pronounced  him  a  stout  man. 

In  March,  1627,  Lieutenant  Gardiner,  who  commanded 
the  fort  at  Saybrook,  going  out  with  about  twelve  men  to 
burn  their  marshes,  was  waylaid  near  a  narrow  neck  of 
land  ;  the  enemy  rose  upon  him,  killed  three  of  his  men, 
and  wounded  several.  The  enemy  pursued  them  in  great 
numbers  to  the  fort,  and  compassed  it  on  all  sides.  They 
challenged  the  English  to  come  out  and  fight;  they 
boasted  that  they  could  kill  the  English-men — all  one 
flies  ;  mocked  the  groans  of  the  wounded.  But  the  can- 
non being  loaded  with  grape  shot  was  fired  among  them, 
which  caused  them  to  groan  in  reality. 

Soon  after,  the  enemy,  in  a  number  of  canoes,  beset  a 
shallop,  going  down  the  river,  with  three  men  on  board  ; 
the  men  fought  bravely,  but  were  overpowered  by  num- 
bers, and  taken.  The  Indians  ripped  them  up  from  the 
bottom  of  their  bellies  to  their  throats,  and  cleft  them  down 
their  backs.  They  then  hung  them  upon  trees  beside  the 
river,  in  full  view  of  the  English,  as  they  passed  up  and 
down,  on  the  river. 

At  a  court  holden  at  Hartford,  it  was  decreed  that  the 
plantation  of  Newtown  should  be  named  Hartford,  and 
that  Watertown  should  be  named  Wethersfield,  and  that 
Dorchester  should  be  called  Windsor. 

In  April,  the  Indians  waylaid  the  people  at  Wethers- 
field,  as  they  were  going  into  the  fields  to  labour,  and  kill- 
ed six  men  and  three  women  ;  two  maids  were  taken  cap- 
tive, twenty  cows  killed,  and  other  damages  done  to  the 
inhabitants. 

The  court  holden  at  Hartford,  May  1st,  1637,  resolved 
to  prosecute  the  war  with  the  Pequots ;  that  ninety  men 
should  be  raised  ;  forty-two  from  Hartford,  thirty  from 
Windsor,  and  eighteen  from  Wethersfield.  Massachu- 
setts determined  to  send  two  hundred,  and  Plymouth  for- 
ty men,  to  assist  Connecticut  in  prosecuting  the  war. 

On  Wednesday,  the  10th  of  May,  the  troops  fell  down 
the  river,  for  the  fort  at  Saybrook.  They  consisted  of  90 
Englishmen,  and  about  70  Mohegan  and  River  Indians. 
They  embarked  on  board  a  pink,  a  pinnance,  and  a  shal- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  45 

lop.  The  Indians  were  commanded  by  Uncas,  sachem  of 
the  Mohegans.  The  whole  was  commanded  by  Captain 
John  Mason,  who  had  been  bred  a  soldier  in  the  old  coun- 
tries. The  Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  of  Hartford,  went  their  chap- 
lain. On  Monday,  the  15th,  the  troops  arrived  at  Say- 
brook  fort.  As  the  water  was  low,  this  little  fleet  several 
times  ran  aground.  The  Indians,  impatient  of  delays,  de- 
sired to  be  set  on  shore,  promising  to  join  the  English  at 
Saybrook.  The  captain,  therefore,  granted  their  request. 
On  their  march  they  fell  in  with  about  forty  of  the  enemy, 
near  the  fort,  killed  seven,  and  took  one  prisoner. 

The  prisoner  had  been  a  perfidious  villian.  He  had 
lived  in  the  fort  some  time  before,  and  could  speak  Eng- 
lish well.  But  after  the  Pequots  commenced  hostilities 
against  the  English,  he  became  a  constant  spy  upon  the 
garrison,  and  acquainted  Sassacus  with  every  thing  he 
could  discover.  He  had  been  present  at  the  slaughter  of 
all  the  English  who  had  been  killed  at  Saybrook. 

Uncas,  and  his  men,  insisted  upon  executing  him  ac- 
cording to  the  manner  of  their  ancestors  ;  and  the  English, 
in  the  circumstances  in  which  they  then  were,  did  not  judge 
it  prudent  to  interpose.  The  Indians,  kindling  a  large 
fire,  violently  tore  him  limb  from  limb.  Barbarously  cut- 
ting his  flesh  in  pieces,  they  handed  it  round  from  one  to 
another,  eating  it,  singing  and  dancing  round  the  fire,  in 
their  violent  and  tumultuous  manner.  The  bones,  and 
such  parts  of  their  captive,  as  were  not  consumed  in  this 
dreadful  repast,  were  committed  to  the  flames,  and  burnt  to 
ashes. 

This  success  was  matter  of  joy,  not  only  as  it  was  a 
check  upon  the  enemy,  but  it  was  an  evidence  of  the  fide- 
lity of  Uncas,  and  his  Indians,  of  which  the  English  had 
been  before  in  doubt.  There  were  other  circumstances, 
however,  which  more  than  counterbalanced  this  joy.  The 
army  lay  wind  bound  until  Friday,  and  Captain  Mason  and 
his  officers  were  entirely  divided  in  opinion,  with  respect 
to  the  manner  of  prosecuting  their  enterprise.  The  court, 
by  the  commission  and  instructions  which  it  had  given, 
enjoined  the  landing  of  the  men  at  Pequot  harbour,  and 
that  from  thence  they  should  advance  upon  the  enemy. 

The  captain  was  for  passing  by  them,  and  sailing  to  the 


46  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Narraganset  country.  He  was  fixed  in  this  opinion,  be- 
cause that,  expecting  the  army  at  Pequot  harbour,  they 
kept  watch  upon  the  river  night  and  day.  Their  number 
of  men  greatly  exceeded  his.  He  was  informed,'  at  Say- 
brook,  that  they  had  sixteen  fire  arms,  with  powder  and 
shot.  The  harbour  was  compassed  with  rocks  and  thick- 
ets, affording  the  enemy  every  advantage.  They  were 
upon  the  land,  and  exceedingly  light-footed.  He  was 
therefore  of  the  opinion,  that  they  would  render  it  very 
difficult  and  dangerous  to  land,  and  that  he  might  sustain 
such  loss,  as  would  discourage  his  men,  and  frustrate  the 
design  of  the  expedition. 

If  they  should  make  good  their  landing,  he  was  sure, 
that  while  they  directed  their  march  through  the  country, 
to  the  enemy's  forts,  they  would  waylay,  and  attack  them 
with  their  whole  force,  at  every  difficult  pass.  Besides, 
if  they  should  find,  on  trial,  that  they  were  not  able  to  de- 
feat the  English,  they  would  run  off  to  swamps  and  fast- 
nesses, where  they  could  not  be  found  ;  and  they  should 
not  be  able  to  effect  any  thing  capital  against  them.  He 
was  not  without  hopes,  that,  by  going  to  Narraganset, 
he  might  surprise  them.  There  was  also  some  prospect 
that  the  Narragansets  would  join  him  in  the  expedition, 
and  that  he  might  fall  in  with  some  part  of  the  troops  from 
Massachusetts. 

His  officers  and  men  in  general  were  for  attending 
their  instructions,  and  going  at  all  hazards  directly  to  the 
forts.  The  necessity  of  their  affairs  at  home — the  danger 
of  the  Indians  attacking  their  families  and  settlements  in 
their  absence,  made  them  wish  at  once  to  despatch  the 
business  on  which  they  had  been  sent.  They  did  not  re- 
lish a  long  march  through  the  wilderness.  They  also 
imagined  that  they  might  be  discovered,  even  should  they 
determine  to  march  from  Narraganset  to  the  attack  of  the 
enemy.  In  this  division  of  opinion,  Mr.  Stone  was  de- 
sired by  the  officers  most  importunately  to  pray  for  them, 
that  their  way  might  be  directed,  and  that,  notwithstand- 
ing the  present  embarrassment,  the  enterprise  might  be 
crowned  with  success. 

Mr.  Stone  spent  most  of  Thursday  night  in  prayer,  and 
the  next  morning  visiting  Captain  Mason,  assured  him, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  47 

that  he  had  done  as  he  was  desired ;  adding,  that  he  was 
entirely  satisfied  with  his  plan.  The  council  was  again 
called ;  and,  upon  a  full  view  of  all  the  reasons,  unani- 
mously agreed  to  proceed  to  Narraganset.  It  was  also 
determined  that  twenty  men  should  be  sent  back  to  Con- 
necticut, to  strengthen  the  infant  settlements,  while  the 
rest  of  the  troops  were  employed  in  service  against  the 
enemy  ;  and,  that  Captain  Underbill,  with  nineteen  men, 
from  the  garrison  at  Saybrook  fort,  should  supply  their 
places. 

On  Friday,  May  19th,  the  captain  sailed  for  Narra- 
ganset bay,  and  arrived  on  Saturday  at  the  desired  port. 
On  Monday,  Captain  Mason  and  Captain  Underbill  marched 
with  a  guard  to  the  plantation  of  Canonicus,  and  ac- 
quainted him  with  the  design  of  their 'coming.  A  mes- 
senger was  immediately  dispatched  to  Miantonimoh,  the 
chief  sachem  of  the  Narragansetts,  to  acquaint  him  also 
with  the  expedition. 

The  next  day  Miantonimoh  met  them,  with  his  chief 
counsellors  and  warriors,  consisting  of  about  200  men. 
Captain  Mason  certified  him  that  the  occasion  of  his 
coming  with  armed  men  into  his  country,  was  to  avenge  the 
intolerable  injuries  which  the  Pequots,  his  as  well  as  their 
enemies,  had  done  the  English;  and  that  he  desired  a 
free  passage  to  the  Pequot  forts.  After  a  solemn  con- 
sultation in  the  Indian  manner,  Miantonimoh  answered, 
That  he  highly  approved  of  the  expedition,  and  that  he 
would  send  men.  He  observed,  however,  that  the  En- 
glish were  not  sufficient  in  number  to  fight  with  the 
enemy.  He  said  the  Pequots  were  great  captains,  skilled 
in  war,  and  rather  slighted  the  English. 

Captain  Mason  landed  his  men,  and  marched  just  at 
night  to  the  plantation  of  Canonicus,  which  was  Ap- 
pointed to  be  the  place  of  general  rendezvous.  That 
night  there  arrived  an  Indian-xrunner  in  the  camp,  with  a 
letter  from  Captain  Patrick,  who  had  arrived  with  his  party 
at  Mr.  William's  plantation  in  Providence.  Captain  Pat- 
rick signified  his  desire  that  Captain  Mason  would  wait 
until  he  could  join  him.  Upon  deliberation,  it  was  de- 
termined not  to  wait,  though  a  junction  was  greatly  de- 
sired. The  men  had  already  been  detained  much  longer 


48  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

than  was  agreeable  to  their  wishes.  When  they  had  ab- 
solutely resolved  the  preceding  day  to  march  the  next 
morning,  the  Indians  insisted  that  they  were  but  in  jest ; 
that  Englishmen  talked  much,  but  would  not  fight. 

It  was,  therefore,  feared  that  any  delay  would  have  a 
bad  effect  upon  them.  It  was  also  suspected  that,  if  they 
did  not  proceed  immediately,  they  should  be  discovered, 
as  there  were  a  number  of  squaws  who  maintained  an  in- 
tercourse between  the  Pequot  and  Narraganset  Indians 
The  army,  therefore,  consisting  of  seventy-seven  En- 
glishmen, sixty  Mohegan  and  River  Indians,  and  about 
two  hundred  Narragansets,  marched  on  Wednesday  morn- 
ing, and  that  day  reached  the  eastern  Nihantic,  about 
eighteen  or  twenty  miles  from  the  place  of  rendezvous 
the  night  before.  This  was  a  frontier  to  the  Pequots, 
and  was  the  seat  of  one  of  the  Narraganset  sachems. 

Here  the  army  halted  at  the  close  of  the  day.  But 
the  sachem,  and  his  Indians,  conducted  themselves  in  a 
haughty  manner  towards  the  English,  and  would  not  suf- 
fer them  to  enter  within  their  fort.  Captain  Mason,  there- 
fore, placed  a  strong  guard  round  the  fort,  and  as  the  In- 
dians would  not  suffer  him  to  enter  it,  he  determined  that 
none  of  them  should  come  out.  Knowing  the  perfidy  of 
the  Indians,  and  that  it  was  customary  among  them  to 
suffer  the  nearest  relatives  of  their  greatest  enemies  to 
reside  with  them,  he  judged  it  necessary,  to  prevent  their 
discovering  him  to  the  enemy. 

In  the  morning  a  considerable  number  of  Miantoni- 
moh's  men  came  on  and  joined  the  English.  This  en- 
couraged many  of  the  Nihanticks  also  to  join  them.  They 
soon  formed  a  circle,  and  made  protestations  how  gal- 
lantly they  would  fight,  and  what  numbers  they  would 
kill.  When  the  army  marched,  the  next  morning,  the 
captain  had  with  him  nearly  five  hundred  Indians.  He 
marched  twelve  miles,  to  the  ford  in  Pawcatuck  River. 

The  day  was  very  hot,  and  the  men,  through  the  great 
heat,  and  a  scarcity  of  provision,  began  to  faint.  The 
army,  therefore,  made  a  considerable  halt,  and  refreshed 
themselves.  Here  the  Narraganset  Indians  began  to 
manifest  their  dread  of  the  Pequots,  and  to  inquire  of 
Captain  Mason,  with  great  anxiety,  what  were  his  real 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  49 

designs.  He  assured  them,  that  it  was  his  design  to  at 
tack  the  Pequots  in  their  forts.  At  this  they  appeared  to 
be  panic  struck,  and  filled  with  amazement.  Many  ot 
them  drew  off,  and  returned  to  Narraganset. 

The  army  marched  on  about  three  miles,  and  came  to 
Indian  corn  fields,  and  the  captain,  imagining  that  he 
drew  near  the  enemy,  made  a  halt :  he  called  his  guides 
and  council,  and  demanded  of  the  Indians  how  far  it  wa:$ 
to  the  forts.  They  represented,  that  it  was  twelve  miles 
to  Sassacus's  fort,  and  that  both  forts  were  in  a  manner 
impregnable.  Wequosh,  a  Pequot  captain  or  petty  sa- 
chem, who  had  revolted  from  Sassacus  to  the  Narragan- 
sets,  was  the  principal  guide,  and  he  proved  faithful. 

He  gave  such  information  respecting  the  distance  of 
the  forts  from  each  other,  and  the  distance  which  they 
were  then  at  from  the  chief  sachem's,  as  determined  him 
and  his  officers  to  alter  the  resolution  which  they  had  be- 
fore adopted,  of  attacking  them  both  at  once,  and  to  make 
a  united  attack  upon  that  at  Mistic.  He  found  his  men 
so  fatigued,  in  marching  through  a  pathless  wilderness, 
with  their  provisions,  arms,  and  ammunition,  and  so  af- 
fected with  the  heat,  that  this  resolution  appeared  to  be 
absolutely  necessary.  One  of  Captain  Underbill's  men 
became  lame,  at  the  same  time,  and  began  to  fail.  The 
army,  therefore,  proceeded  directly  to  Mistic,  and,  con- 
tinuing their  march,  came  to  a  small  swamp  between  two 
hills,  just  at  the  disappearing  of  the  daylight. 

The  officers,  supposing  that  they  were  now  near  the 
fort,  pitched  their  little  camp  between  or  near  two  large 
rocks  in  Groton,  since  called  Porter's  Rocks.  The  men 
were  faint  and  weary,  and  though  the  rocks  were  their 
pillows,  their  rest  was  sweet.  The  guards  and  sentinels 
were  considerably  advanced,  in  the  front  of  the  army, 
and  heard  the  enemy  singing  at  the  fort,  who  continued 
their  rejoicings  even  until  midnight.  They  had  seen  the 
vessels  pass  the  harbour  some  days  before,  and  had  con- 
cluded that  the  English  were  afraid,  and  had  not  courage 
to  attack  them.  They  were,  therefore,  rejoicing,  singing, 
dancing,  insulting  them,  and  wearying  themselves,  on 
this  account. 

The  night  was  serene,  and,  towards  morning,  the  moon 
5 


50  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

shone  clear.  The  important  crisis  was  now  come,  when 
the  very  existence  of  Connecticut,  under  Providence, 
was  to  be  determined  by  the  sword  in  a  single  action, 
and  to  be  decided  by  the  good  conduct  of  less  than  eighty 
brave  men.  The  Indians  who  remained  were  now  sorely 
dismayed,  and  though,  at  first,  they  had  led  the  van,  and 
boasted  of  great  feats,  yet  were  now  all  fallen  back  in  the 
rear. 

About  two  hours  before  day  the  men  were  roused  with 
all  expedition,  and  briefly  commending  themselves,  and 
their  cause,  to  God,  advanced  immediately  towards  the 
fort.  After  a  march  of  about  two  miles,  they  came  to  the 
foot  of  a  large  hill,  where  a  fine  country  opened  before 
them.  The  captain,  supposing  thav  the  fort  could  not  be 
far  distant,  sent  for  the  Indians  in  the  rear  to  comejip. 
Uncas  and  Wequosh  at  length  appeared.  He  demand- 
ed of  them  where  the  fort  was.  They  answered,  on  the 
top  of  the  hill.  He  demanded  of  them,  where  were  the 
other  Indians. 

They  answered,  that  they  were  much  afraid. — The  cap- 
tain sent  to  them  not  to  fly,  but  to  surround  the  fort,  at  any 
distance  they  pleased,  and  see  whether  Englishmen  would 
fight.  The  day  was  nearly  dawning,  and  no  time  was  to 
be  lost.  The  men  pressed  on,  in  two  divisions,  Captain 
Mason  to  the  northeastern,  and  Captain  Underbill  to  the 
western  entrance.  As  the  object  which  they  had  been  so 
long  seeking  came  into  view,  and  while  they  reflected  they 
were  to  fight  not  only  for  themselves,  but  their  parents, 
wives,  children,  and  the  whole  colony,  the  martial  spirit 
kindled  in  their  bosoms,  and  they  were  wonderfully  ani- 
mated. 

As  Captain  Mason  advanced  within  a  rod  or  two  of  the 
fort,  a  dog  barked,  and  an  Indian  roared  out,  Owanux  ! 
Owanux !  That  is,  Englishmen !  Englishmen !  The 
troops  pressed  on,  and  as  the  Indians  were  rally  ing,,  pour- 
ed in  upon  them,  through  the  pallisadoes,  a  general  dis- 
charge of  their  muskets,  and  then  wheeling  oft' to  the  prin- 
cipal entrance,  entered  the  fort  sword  in  hand.  Notwith- 
standing the  suddenness  of  the  attack,  the  blaze  and  thun- 
der of  their  arms,  the  enemy  made  a  manly  and  desperate 
jresi stance.  Captain  Mason,  and  his  party,  drove  the  In- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  51 

dians  in  the  main  street  towards  the  west  part  of  the  fort, 
where  some  bold  men,  who  had  forced  their  way,  met 
them,  and  made  such  slaughter  among  them,,  that  the 
street  was  soon  clear  of  the  enemy.  They  secreted  them- 
selves in  and  behind  their  wigwams,  and  taking  advan- 
tage of  every  covert,  maintained  an  obstinate  defence. 

The  Captain,  and  his  men,  entered  the  wigwams,  where 
they  were  beset  with  many  Indians,  who  took  every  advan- 
tage to  shoot  them,  and  lay  hands  upon  them,  so  that  it 
was  with  great  difficulty  that  they  could  defend  themselves 
with  their  swords.  After  a  severe  conflict,  in  which  ma- 
ny of  the  Indians  were  slain,  some  of  the  English  killed, 
and  others  sorely  wounded,  the  victory  still  hung  in  sus- 
pense. The  Captain,  finding  himself  much  exhausted, 
and  out  of  breath,  as  well  as  his  men,  by  the  extraordinary 
exertions  which  they  had  made  ;  in  this  critical  state  of  ac- 
tion, had  recourse  to  a  successful  expedient.  He  cries 
out  to  his  men,  We  must  burn  them. 

He  immediately  entered  a  wigwam,  took  fire,  and  put  it 
into  the  mats,  with  which  the  wigwams  were  covered. 
The  fire,  instantly  kindling,  spread  with  such  violence 
that  all  the  Indian  houses  were  soon  wrapped  in  flames. 
As  the  fire  increased,  the  English  retired  without  the  fort, 
and  compassed  it  on  every  side.  Uncas,  and  his  Indians, 
with  such  of  the  Narragansets  as  yet  remained,  took  cou- 
rage from  the  example  of  the  English,  and  formed  another 
circle  in  the  rear  of  them. 

The  enemy  were  now  seized  with  astonishment,  and 
forced  by  the  flames  from  their  lurking  places,  into  open 
light,  became  a  fair  mark  for  the  English  soldiers.  Some 
climbed  the  pallisadoes,  and  were  instantly  brought  down 
by  the  fire  of  the  English  muskets.  Others,  desperately 
sallying  forth  from  their  burning  cells,  were  shot,  or  cut 
in  pieces  with  the  sword.  Such  terror  fell  upon  them, 
that  they  would  run  back  from  the  English  into  the  very 
flames.  Great  numbers  perished  in  the  conflagration. 

The  greatness  and  violence  of  the  fire,  the  reflection  of 
the  light,  the  flashing  and  roar  of  the  arms,  the  shrieks 
and  veilings  of  the  men,  women,  and  children,  in  the  fort, 
and  the  shoutings  of  the  Indians  without,  just  at  the  dawn-- 
ing of  the  morning,  exhibited  a  grand  and  awful  scene.  In 


52  ,  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

a  little  more  than  an  hour,  this  whole  work  of  destruction 
was  finished.  Seventy  wigwams  were  burnt,  and  fhte  or 
six  hundred  Indians  perished,  either  by  the  sword  or  in 
the  flames.*  A  hundred  and  fifty  warriors  had  been  sent 
on  the  evening  before,  who  that  very  morning  were  to 
have  gone  forth  against  the  English.  Of  these,  and  all 
who  belonged  to  the  fort,  seven  only  escaped,  and  seven 
were  made  prisoners.  It  had  been  previously  concluded 
not  to  burn  the  fort,  but  to  destroy  the  enemy,  and  take 
the  plunder  ;  but  the  captain  afterwards  found  it  the  only 
expedient  to  obtain  the  victory,  and  save  his  men.  Thus 
parents  and  children,  the  sannup  and  squaw,  the  old  man 
and  babe,  perished  in  promiscuous  ruin. 

Though  the  victory  was  complete,  yet  the  army  were 
in  great  danger  and  distress.  The  men  had  been  ex- 
ceedingly fatigued,  by  the  heat  and  long  marches  through 
rough  and  difficult  places,  and  by  that  constant  watch  and 
guard  which  they  had  been  obliged  to  keep.  They  had 
now  been  greatly  exhausted,  by  the  sharpness  of  the  ac- 
tion, and  the  exertions  which  they  had  been  necessitated 
to  make.  Their  loss  was  very  considerable.  Two  men 
were  killed,  and  nearly  twenty  wounded. 

This  was  more  than  one  quarter  of  the  English.  Num- 
bers fainted  by  reason  of  fatigue,  the  heat,  and  want  of 
necessaries.  The  surgeon,  their  provisions,  and  the  ar- 
ticles necessary  for  the  wounded,  were  on  board  the  ves- 
sels which  had  been  ordered  to  sail  from  the  Narraganset 
bay  the  night  before,  for  Pequot  harbour ;  but  there  was 
no  appearance  of  them  in  the  Sound.  They  were  sen- 
sible that,  by  the  burning  of  the  fort,  and  the  noise  of 
war,  they  had  alarmed  the  country,  and  therefore  were 
in  constant  expectation  of  an  attack,  by  a  fresh  and  nu- 
merous enemy  from  the  other  fortress,  and  from  every 
quarter  whence  the  Pequots  might  be  collected. 

A  number  of  friendly  Indians  had  been  wounded,  and 
they  were  so  distracted  with  fear,  that  it  was  difficult  even 
to  speak  with  their  guide  and  interpreter,  or  to  know  any 
thing  what  they  designed.  The  English  were  in  an  ene- 

*  Captain  Mason,  in  his  history,  says,  six  or  seven  hundred.  From 
the  number  of  wigwams,  and  the  reinforcement,  the  probability  is,  that 
about  six  hundred  were  destroyed. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  53 

my's  country,  and  entire  strangers  to  the  way  in  which 
they  must  return.  The  enemy  were  far  more  numerous 
than  themselves,  and  enraged  to  the  highest  degree.  An- 
other circumstance  rendered  their  situation  still  more 
dangerous  ;  their  provisions  and  ammunition  were  nearly 
expended.  Four  or  five  men  were  so  wounded  that  it 
was  necessary  to  carry  them ;  and  they  were  also  obliged 
to  bear  about  twenty  fire  arms,  so  that  not  more  than 
forty  men  could  be  spared  for  action. 

After  an  interval  of  about  an  hour,  while  the  officers 
were  in  consultation  what  course  they  should  take,  their 
vessels,  as  though  guided  by  the  hand  of  Providence,  to 
serve  the  necessities  of  these  brave  men,  came  full  in 
view,  and,  under  a  fair  gale,  were  steering  directly  into 
the  harbour.  This,  in  the  situation  of  the  army  at  that 
time,  was  a  most  joyful  sight. 

Immediately  upon  the  discovery  of  the  vessels,  aboui 
three  hundred  Indians  came  on  from  the  other  fort.  Cap- 
tain Mason,  perceiving  their  approach,  led  out  a  chosen 
party  to  engage  them,  and  try  their  temper.  He  gave 
them  such  a  warm  reception,  as  soon  checked  and  put 
them  to  a  stand.  This  gave  him  great  encouragement, 
and  he  ordered  the  army  to  march  for  Pequot  harbour. 
The  enemy,  upon  this,  immediately  advanced  to  the  hill 
where  the  fort  stood  ;  and  viewing  the  destruction  which 
had  been  made,  stamped,  and  tore  their  hair  from  their 
heads.  After  a  short  pause,  and  blowing  themselves  up 
to  the  highest  transport  of  passion,  they  leaped  down  the 
hill  after  the  army,  in  the  most  violent  manner,  as  though 
they  were  about  to  run  over  the  English. 

Captain  Underbill,  who,  with  a  number  of  the  best 
men,  was  ordered  to  defend  the  rear,  soon  checked  the 
eagerness  of  their  pursuit,  and  taught  them  to  keep  at 
more  respectful  distance.  The  friendly  Indians  who  ha 
not  deserted,  now  kept  close  to  the  English ;  and,  it  was 
believed,  that  after  the  enemy  came  on,  they  were  afraid 
to  leave  them.  The  enemy  pursued  the  army  nearly  six 
miles  ;  sometimes  shooting  at  a  distance,  from  behind  the 
rocks  and  trees,  and,  at  other  times,  pressing  on  more 
violently,  and  desperately  hazarding  themselves  in  the 
~^en  field. 

5* 


54  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

That  the  English  might  be  enabled  to  fight,  Captain 
Mason  soon  hired  the  Indians  to  carry  the  wounded  men 
and  their  arms.  The  English  killed  several  of  the  ene- 
my while  they  pursued  them,  but  sustained  no  loss  them- 
selves. When  they  killed  a  Pequot,  the  other  Indians 
would  shout,  run,  and  fetch  his  head.  At  length  the  ene- 
my, finding  that  they  could  make  no  impression  upon  the 
army,  and  that  wounds  and  death  attended  their  attempts, 
gave  over  the  pursuit. 

The  army  then  marched  to  the  harbour,  with  their  co- 
lours flying,  and  were  received  on  board  the  vessels,  with 
great  mutual  joy  and  congratulation, 

In  about  three  weeks  from  the  time  the  men  embarked 
at  Hartford,  they  returned  again  to  their  respective  habi- 
tations. They  were  received  with  the  greatest  exultation. 
As  the  people  had  been  deeply  affected  with  their  danger, 
and  full  of  anxiety  for  their  friends,  while  nearly  half  the 
effective  men  in  the  colony  were  in  service,  upon  so 
hazardous  an  enterprise,  so  sudden  a  change,  in  the  great 
victory  obtained,  and  in  the  safe  return  of  so  many  of  their 
children  and  neighbours,  filled  them  with  exceeding  joy 
and  thankfulness.  Every  family,  and  every  worshipping 
assembly,  spoke  the  language  of  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

Several  circumstances  attending  this  enterprise  were 
much  noticed  by  the  soldiers  themselves,  and  especially 
by  all  the  pious  people.  It  was  considered  as  very  pro- 
vidential, that  the  army  should  march  nearly  forty  miles, 
and  a  considerable  part  of  it  in  the  enemy's  country,  and 
not  be  discovered  until  the  moment  they  were  ready  to 
commence  the  attack.  It  was  judged  remarkable,  that 
the  vessels  should  come  into  the  harbour  at  the  very  hour 
in  which  they  were  most  needed. 

The  life  of  Captain  Mason  was  very  signally  preserved. 
As  he  entered  a  wigwam  for  fire  to  burn  the  fort,  an  In- 
dian was  drawing  an  arrow  to  the  very  head,  and  would 
K«Tre  killed  him  instantly ;  but  Davis,  one  of  his  sergeants, 
cut  tne  bow-string  with  his  cutlass,  and  prevented  the 
fatal  shot.  Lieutenant  Bull  received  an  arrow  into  a  hard 
piece  of  cheese,  which  he  had  in  his  clothes,  and  by  it 
was  saved  harmless.  Two  soldiers,  John  Dyer  and  Tho- 
mas Stiles,  both  servants  of  one  man,  were  shot  in  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  55 

knots  of  their  neckcloths,  and  by  them  preserved  from 
instant  death. 

Few  enterprises  have  ever  been  achieved  with  more 
personal  bravery  or  good  conduct.  In  few  instances  have 
so  great  a  proportion  of  the  effective  men  of  a  whole 
colony,  state,  or  nation,  been  put  to  so  great  and  imme- 
diate danger.  In  few  have  a  people  been  so  deeply  and 
immediately  interested,  as  the  whole  colony  of  Connecti- 
cut was  in  this,  in  that  uncommon  crisis.  In  these  re- 
spects, even  the  great  armaments  and  battles  of  Europe, 
are,  comparatively,  of  little  importance.  In  this,  under 
the  divine  conduct,  by  seventy-seven  brave  men,  Connec- 
ticut was  saved,  and  the  most  warlike  and  terrible  Indian 
nation  in  New-England,  defeated  and  ruined. 

The  body  of  the  Pequots,  returning  frdm  the  pursuit  of 
Captain  Mason,  repaired  to  Sassacus,  at  the  royal  fortress, 
and  related  the  doleful  story  of  their  misfortunes.  They 
charged  them  all  to  his  haughtiness  and  misconduct,  and 
threatened  him,  and  his,  with  immediate  destruction.  His 
friends  and  chief  counsellors  interceded  for  him  ;  and,  at 
their  entreaty,  his  men  spared  his  life.  Then,  upon  con- 
sultation, they  concluded  that  they  could  not,  with  safety, 
remain  any  longer  in  the  country.  They  were,  indeed, 
so  panic  struck,  that,  burning  their  wigwams,  and  destroy- 
ing their  fort,  they  fled  and  scattered  into  various  parts  of 
the  country.  Sassacus,  Mononotto,  and  seventy  or  eighty 
of  their  chief  counsellors  and  warriors,  took  their  route 
towards  Hudson's  river. 

Just  before  Captain  Mason  went  out  upon  the  expedi- 
tion againt  the  Pequots,  the  Dutch  performed  a  very 
neighbourly  office  for  Connecticut.  The  two  maids,  who 
had  been  captivated  at  Wethersfield,  had,  through  the  hu- 
manity and  mediation  of  Mononotto's  squaw,  been  spared 
from  death,  and  kindly  treated.  The  Dutch  governor, 
receiving  intelligence  of  their  circumstances,  determined 
to  redeem  them  at  any  rate,  and  despatched  a  sloop  to 
Pequot  harbour  for  that  purpose.  Upon  its  arrival,  the 
Dutch  made  large  offers  for  their  redemption,  but  the  Pe- 
quots would  not  accept  them.  Finally,  as  the  Dutch  had 
a  number  of  Pequots  on  board,  whom  they  had  taken,  and 
finding  that  they  could  do  no  better,  they  offered  the  Pe- 


56  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

quots  six  of  their  own  men  for  the  two  maids.  These 
they  accepted,  and  the  Dutch  delivered  the  young  women 
at  Saybrook,  just  before  Captain  Mason  and  his  party  ar- 
rived. Of  them  he  received  particular  information  re- 
specting the  enemy. 

An  Indian  runner,  despatched  by  Mr.  Williams,  at 
Providence,  soon  carried  the  news  of  the  success  of  Con- 
necticut against  the  Pequots,  to  the  Governor  of  Massa- 
chusetts. The  governor  and  his  council,  judging  that  the 
Pequots  had  received  a  capital  blow,  sent  forward  but  a 
hundred  and  twenty  men.  These  were  commanded  by 
Mr.  Stoughton,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Boston,  was 
sent  as  his  chaplain. 

This  party  arrived  at  Pequot  harbour  the  latter  part  of 
June.  By  the  assistance  of  the  Narraganset  Indians,  the 
party  under  Captain  Stoughton  surrounded  a  large  body 
of  Pequots  in  a  swamp.  They  took  eighty  captives. 
Thirty  were  men;  the  rest  were  women  and  children. 
The  men,  except  two  sachems,  were  killed,  but  the  wo- 
men and  children  were  saved.  The  sachems  promised  to 
conduct  the  English  to  Sassacus,  and  for  that  purpose  were 
spared  for  the  present. 

The  court  of  Connecticut  ordered,  that  forty  men  should 
be  raised  forthwith  for  the  further  prosecution  of  the  wai 
against  the  Pequots,  to  be  commanded  by  Captain  Mason. 

The  troops  from  Connecticut  made  a  junction  with  the 
party  under  the  command  of  Captain  Stoughton,  at  Pe- 
quot. Mr.  Ludlow,  with  other  principal  gentlemen  from 
Connecticut,  went  also  with  the  army,  to  advise  with  re- 
spect to  the  measures  to  be  adopted  in  the  further  prose- 
cution of  the  war.  Upon  general  consultation,  it  was  con- 
cluded to  pursue  the  Pequots,  who  had  fled  to  the  west- 
ward. The  army  marched  immediately,  and  soon  disco- 
vered the  places  where  the  enemy  had  rendezvoused,  at 
their  several  removes.  As  these  were  net  far  distant  from 
each  other,  it  appeared  that  they  moved  slowly,  having 
their  women  and  children  with  them.  They  also  were 
without  provisions,  and  were  obliged  to  dig  for  clams, 
and  to  range  the  groves  for  such  articles  as  they  afforded. 

The  English  found  some  scattering  Pequots,  as  they 
scoured  the  country,  whom  they  captivated,  and  from 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  57 

whom  they  obtained  intelligence  relative  to  the  Pequots 
whom  they  were  pursuing.  But  finding  that  the  sachems, 
whom  they  had  spared,  would  give  them  no  information, 
they  beheaded  them,  on  their  march,  at  a  place  called 
Menunkatuck,  since  Guilford ;  from  which  circumstance, 
the  spot  on  which  the  execution  was  done,  bears  the  name 
of  Sachem's  Head  to  the  present  time.  In  three  days, 
they  arrived  at  New-Haven  harbour.  The  vessels  sailed 
along  the  shore,  while  the  troops  marched  by  land. 

At  New-Haven,  then  called  Quinnipiack,  a  great  smoke, 
at  a  small  distance,  was  discovered  in  the  woods.  The 
officers  supposing  that  they  had  now  discovered  the  ene- 
my, ordered  the  army  immediately  to  advance  upon  them ; 
but  were  soon  informed  that  they  were  not  in  that  vicinity. 
The  Connecticut  Indians  had  kindled  the  fires  whence  the 
smoke  arose.  The  troops  soon  embarked  on  board  the 
vessels.  After  staying  several  days  at  New-Haven,  the 
officers  received  intelligence  from  a  Pequot,  whom  they 
had  previously  sent  to  make  discovery,  that  the  enemy 
were  at  a  considerable  distance,  in  a  great  swamp,  to  the 
westward.  Upon  this  information,  the  army  marched 
with  all  possible  despatch  to  a  great  swamp  in  Fairfield, 
where  were  eighty  or  a  hundred  Pequot  warriors,  and 
nearly  two  hundred  other  Indians. 

The  swamp  was  such  a  thicket,  so  deep  and  boggy,  that 
it  was  difficult  to  enter  it,  or  make  any  movement  without 
sinking  in  the  mire.  Lieutenant  Davenport,  and  others, 
rushing  eagerly  into  it,  were  sorely  wounded,  and  several 
were  soon  so  deep  in  the  mud,  that  they  could  not  get  out 
without  assistance.  The  enemy  pressed  them  so  hard, 
that  they  were  just  ready  to  seize  them  by  the  hair  of  their 
head.  A  number  of  brave  men  were  obliged  to  rescue 
them  sword  in  hand.  Some  of  the  Indians  were  slain, 
and  the  men  were  drawn  out  of  the  mire.  The  swamp 
was  surrounded,  and  after  a  considerable  skirmish,  the 
Indians  desired  a  parley. 

As  the  officers  were  not  willing  to  make  a  promiscuous 
destruction  of  men,  women,  and  children,  and  as  the  sa- 
chem and  Indians  of  the  vicinity  had  fled  into  the  swamp, 
though  they  had  done  the  colonies  no  injury,  a  parley  was 
granted.  Thomas  Stanton,  a  man  well  acquainted  with 


58  UNIV-ERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  manners  and  language  of  the  Indians,  was  sent  to' 
treat  with  them.  He  was  authorized  to  offer  life  to  all  the 
Indians  who  had  shed  no  English  blood.  Upon  this  offer, 
the  sachem  of  the  place  came  out  to  the  English,  and  one 
company  of  old  men,  women,  and  children,  after  another, 
to  the  number  of  about  two  hundred. 

The  sachem  of  the  place,  declared  for  himself  and  his 
Indians,  that  they  had  never  shed  the  blood  of  the  Eng- 
lish, nor  done  them  any  harm.  But  the  Pequot  warriors 
had  too  great  a  spirit  to  accept  of  the  offer  of  life,  declar- 
ing, that  they  would  fight  it  out.  They  shot  their  arrows 
at  Stanton,  and  pressed  so  hard  upon  him,  that  the  soldiers 
were  obliged  to  fly  to  his  rescue.  The  fight  was  then  re- 
newed, the  soldiers  firing  upon  them  whenever  an  oppor- 
tunity presented.  But  by  reason  of  an  unhappy  division 
among  the  officers,  a  great  part  of  the  enemy  escaped. 
Some  were  for  forcing  the  swamp  immediately,  but  this 
was  opposed,  as  too  dangerous.  Others  were  for  cutting 
it  down,  as  they  had  taken  many  hatchets,  with  which 
they  were  of  the  opinion  it  might  be  effected.  Some  others 
were  for  making  a  pallisado  and  hedge  around  it,  but  nei- 
ther of  these  measures  could  be  adopted. 

As  night  came  on,  the  English  cut  through  a  narrow 
part  of  it,  by  which  the  circumference  was  greatly  les- 
sened ;  so  that  the  soldiers,  at  twelve  feet  distance  from 
each  other,  were  able  completely  to  compass  the  enemy. 
In  this  manner  they  enclosed  and  watched  them  until  it 
was  nearly  morning.  A  thick  fog  arose  just  before  day, 
and  it  became  exceedingly  dark.  At  this  juncture,  the 
Indians  took  the  opportunity  to  break  through  the  Eng- 
lish. They  made  their  first  attempt  upon  Captain  Pa- 
trick's quarters,  yelling  in  their  hideous  manner,  and 
pressing  on  with  violence,  but  they  were  several  times 
driven  back.  As  the  noise  and  tumult  of  war  increased, 
Captain  Mason  sent  a  party  to  assist  Captain  Patrick. 
Captain  Trask  also  marched  to  reinforce  him. 

As  the  battle  greatly  increased,  the  siege  broke  up. 
Captain  Mason  marched  to  give  assistance  in  the  action. 
Advancing  to  J;he  turn  of  the  swamp,  he  found  that  the 
enemy  were  pressing  out  upon  him  ;  but  he  gave  them  so 
warm  a  reception,  that  they  were  soon  glad  to  retire. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  59 

While  he  was  expecting  that  they  would  make  another 
attempt  upon  him,  they  faced  about,  and,  falling  violently 
on  Captain  Patrick,  broke  through  his  quarters  and  fled. 
These  were  their  bravest  warriors,  sixty  or  seventy  of 
whom  made  their  escape.  About  twenty  were  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  eighty  were  taken  prisoners.  The 
English  also  took  hatchets,  wampum,  kettles,  trays,  and 
other  Indian  utensils. 

The  Pequot  women  and  children,  who  had  been  capti- 
vated, were  divided  among  the  troops.  Some  were  car- 
ried to  Connecticut,  and  others  to  the  Massachusetts. 
The  people  of  Massachusetts  sent  a  number  of  the  wo- 
men and  boys  to  the  West-Indies,  and  sold  them  for 
slaves.  It  was  supposed  that  about  seven  hundred  Pe- 
quots  were  destroyed.  The  women  who  were  captivated, 
reported,  that  thirteen  sachems  had  been  slain,  and  that 
thirteen  yet  survived.  Among  the  latter  were  Sassacus 
and  Mononotto,  the  two  chief  sachems.  These,  with 
about  twenty  of  their  best  men,  fled  to  the  Mohawks. 
They  carried  oflf  wampum  to  the  amount  of  500  pounds. 
The  Mohawks  surprised  and  slew  them  all,  except  Mono- 
notto. They  wounded  him,  but  he  made  his  escape.  The 
scalp  of  Sassacus  was  sent  to  Connecticut  in  the  fall,  and 
Mr.  Ludlow,  and  several  other  gentlemen,  going  into 
Massachusetts,  in  September,  carried  a  lock  of  it  to  Bos- 
ton as  a  rare  sight,  and  a  sure  demonstration  of  the  death 
of  their  mortal  enemy. 

Among  the  Pequot  captives  were  the  wife  and  children 
of  Mi  nonotto.  She  was  particularly  noticed,  by  the 
English,  for  her  great  modesty,  humanity,  and  good  sense. 
She  made  it  as  her  only  request,  that  she  might  not  be 
injured,  either  as  to  her  offspring  or  personal  honour.  As 
a  requital  of  her  kindness  to  the  captivated  maids,  her 
life,  and  the  lives  of  her  children,  were  not  only  spared, 
but  they  were  particularly  recommended  to  the  care  of 
Governor  Winthrop.  He  gave  charge  for  their  protec- 
tion and  kind  treatment. 

After  the  swamp  fight,  the  Pequots  became  so  weak 
and  scattered,  that  the  Narragansets  and  Mohegans  con- 
stantly killed  them,  and  brought  in  their  heads  to  Wind- 
sor and  Hartford.  Those  who  survived  were  so  hunted 


60  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  harrassed,  that  a  number  of  their  chief  men  repaired 
to  the  English,  at  Hartford,  for  relief.  They  offered,  it 
their  lives  might  be  spared,  that  they  would  become  the 
servants  of  the  English,  and  be  disposed  of  at  their  plea- 
sure. This  was  granted,  and  the  court  interposed  for 
their  protection. 

Uncas  and  Miantonimoh,  with  the  Pequots,  by  the 
direction  of  the  magistrates  of  Connecticut,  met  at  Hart- 
ford ;  and  it  was  demanded  by  them,  how  many  of  the 
Pequots  were  yet  living  ?  they  answered,  about  two  hun- 
dred, besides  women  and  children.  The  magistrates  then 
entered  into  a  firm  covenant  with  them,  to  the  following 
effect ;  that  there  should  be  perpetual  peace  between  Mi- 
antonimoh and  Uncas,  and  their  respective  Indians  ;  and 
that  all  past  injuries  should  be  remitted,  and  for  ever  bu- 
ried; that  if  any  injuries  should  be  done,  in  future,  by  one 
party  to  the  other,  that  they  should  not  immediately  re- 
venge it,  but  appeal  to  the  English  to  do  them  justice.  It 
was  stipulated,  that  they  should  submit  to  their  determi- 
nation, and  that  if  either  party  should  be  obstinate,  that 
then  they  might  enforce  submission  to  their  decisions.  It 
was  further  agreed,  that  neither  the  Mohegans,  nor  Nar- 
ragansets,  should  conceal  nor  entertain  any  of  their  ene- 
mies, but  deliver  up  or  destroy  all  such  Indians  as  had 
murdered  any  English  man  or  woman. 

The  English  then  gave  the  Pequot  Indians  to  the  Nar- 
ragansets  and  Mohegans,  eighty  to  Miantonimoh,  twenty 
to  Ninnigret,  and  the  other  hundred  to  Uncas,  to  be-  re- 
ceived and  treated  as  their  men.  It  was  also  covenanted 
that  the  Pequots  should  never  more  inhabit  their  native 
country,  nor  be  called  Pequots,  but  Narrag-msets  and  Mo- 
hegans. It  was  also  further  stipulated,  that  neither  the 
Narragansets  nor  Mohegans  should  possess  any  part  of 
the  Pequot  country  without  the  consent  of  the  English. 
The  Pequots  were  to  pay  a  tribute  at  Connecticut,  annu- 
ally, of  a  fathom  of  wainpumpeag  for  every  sannups,  of 
half  a  fathom  for  every  young  man,  and  of  a  hand  for 
every  male  papoose.  On  these  conditions  the  magis- 
trates, in  behalf  of  the  colony,  stipulated  a  firm  peace 
with  all  the  Indians. 

The  conquest  of  the  Pequots  struck  all  the  Indians  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  61 

New-England  with  terror ;  and  they  were  possessed  with 
such  fear  of  the  displeasure  and  arms  of  the  English,  that 
they  had  no  open  war  with  them  for  nearly  forty  years. 

This  happy  event  gave  great  joy  to  the  colonies.  A 
day  of  public  thanksgiving  was  appointed  ;  and,  in  all  the 
churches  of  New-England,  devout  and  animated  praises 
were  addressed  to  Him,  who  giveth  his  people  the  vic- 
tory, and  causeth  them  to  dwell  safely. 

The  war  with  the  Pequots  led  to  the  discovery  of  Quin- 
napiack,  (now  New-Haven.)  Mr.  Eaton,  Mr.  Hopkins, 
Mr.  Davenport,  and  several  others,  commenced  a  settle- 
ment; and  on  the  18th  of  April,  1638,  they  kept  the  first 
sabbath  in  that  place.  They  assembled  under  a  large 
spreading  oak,  and  Mr.  Davenport  preached  to  them  from 
Matthew  vi.  1. 

On  the  first  of  June,  about  three  or  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  was  a  great  earthquake  throughout  New-Eng- 
land. The  shock  was  so  great,  that  a  number  of  chim- 
neys were  thrown  down  ;  the  earth  by  turns  was  unquiet 
for  fifteen  days. 

In  addition  to  the  town  of  New-Haven,  several  other 
towns  were  soon  commenced,  which  were  included  in  this 
colony.  In  1639,  commenced  the  towns  of  Guilford  and 
Milford.  Stamford  was  settled  in  1641  ;  soon  after  began 
the  town  of  Branford.  Some  settlements  on  Long  Island 
were  included  in  the  colony  of  New-Haven. 

The  colony  of  New-Hampshire,  which  now  holds  a 
distinguished  rank  among  the  New-England  states,  though 
its  settlement  began  at  a  very  early  period,  did  not  be- 
come a  separate  colony  till  many  years  after  that  settle- 
ment commenced.  Captain  Smith,  of  Virginia,  who 
sailed  along  the  shore  of  New-England,  in  1614,  and  pub- 
lished a  chart  of  the  coast,  with  some  account  of  the 
country,  discovered  the  River  Piscataqua.  He  iound  the 
river  to  be  large,  the  harbour  capacious  and  safe,  and  gave 
a  favourable  representation  of  the  place  as  a  site  for  a  new 
plantation. 

Gorges  and  Mason,  two  members  of  the  council  of  Ply- 
mouth, in  England,  having  obtained  from  the  council  a 
grant  of  that  tract  of  country,  attempted  the  establish- 
ment of  a  colony  and  fishery  at  the  river  Piscataqua.  In 

6 


62  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  spring  of  the  year  1623,  they  sent  over  a  few  persons 
for  this  purpose,  who  sat  down  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river,  near  its  mouth ,  and  there  fixed  a  temporary  resi- 
dence. This  was  the  beginning  of  the  excellent  and 
flourishing  town  of  Portsmouth.  The  same  year,  two 
of  the  company  erected  a  fish-house  at  the  place  of  the 
present  town  of  Dover. 

These  settlements,  for  several  years,  were  small,  and 
scarcely  permanent.  In  1629,  some  of  the  settlers  about 
the  Massachusetts  Bay,  wishing  to  unite  with  the  settle- 
ment at  Piscataqua,  they  assembled  the  chiefs  of  several 
Indian  tribes  at  Squamscot  falls,  now  Exeter,  and,  for  a 
valuable  consideration,  made  a  purchase  of  an  extensive 
tract  of  land.  In  the  instrument  of  conveyance,  the  na- 
tives express  a.  "  desire  to  have  the  English  come  and 
settle  among  them,  as  among  their  countrymen  in  Massa- 
chusetts." After  this  purchase,  the  plantation  had  a  mo- 
derate increase,  but  no  new  settlements  were  made  till  the 
year  1638,  which  was  the  beginning  of  the  towns  of  Exe- 
ter and  Hampton. 

The  people  at  Dover  early  erected  a  convenient  meet- 
ing-house, which  was  afterwards  improved  as  a  fortifica- 
tion. A  church  was  soon  organized,  of  a  character  simi- 
lar to  the  churches  in  the  neighbouring  colonies  ;  and  Mr. 
William  Leverich,  a  worthy  and  able  puritan  divine,  came 
from  England  in  1633,  and  became  their  minister.  The 
settlement  at  Portsmouth,  in  their  infant  state,  erected  a 
house  for  divine  worship,  and  enjoyed,  successively,  the 
labours  of  several  faithful  ministers.  The  ministry  of 
one  of  these,  Mr.  Jarnes  Parker,  was  attended  with  much 
success.  But  the  town  had  no  settled  minister  till  a  num- 
ber of  years  after  its  settlement. 

The  people  who  made  the  settlement  of  Exeter,  in 
1638,  were  mostly  from  Boston.  Having  been  regularly 
dismissed  from  the  church  in  that  town,  they  immediately 
united  in  a  church  relation,  on  the  principles  of  their 
mother  church.  As  they  judged  their  settlement  to  be 
without  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  they  formed 
themselves  into  a  body  politic,  chose  rulers  and  assistants, 
who  were  sworn  to  the  proper  execution  of  their  respec- 
tive offices,  and  a  correspondent  oath  of  obedience  was 


THE  UNITED  STATES  63 

taken  by  the  people.  In  this  political  compact,  we  have 
an  instance  of  civil  government  in  its  simplest,  perhaps, 
in  its  purest  form.  The  magistrates,  who  were  few,  were 
vested  with  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive  authority. 

The  settlements  at  Portsmouth  and  Dover,  for  several 
years,  were  governed,  principally,  by  agents  sent  over  by 
the  proprietors  in  England.  Having  experienced  many 
inconveniences  from  this  mode  of  government,  they,  sepa- 
rately, forming  a  civil  compact,  after  the  example  of  their 
neighbours  at  Exeter,  enacted  and  enforced  their  own 
laws.  The  combination  at  Dover  was  similar  to  the  one 
at  Exeter ;  at  Portsmouth  they  had  a  chief  magistrate, 
annually  elected,  styled  a  governor. 

These  settlements,  for  many  years,  lived  peaceably  with 
the  natives,  and,  from  their  great  advantages  for  fishery, 
experienced  less  of  the  evils  of  famine  than  the  neighbour- 
ing colonies.  Placed  in  distinct  civil  communities,  they 
soon  found  themselves  exposed  to  a  variety  of  difficulties, 
and  peculiarly  defenceless  in  the  event  of  trouble  from  an 
enemy.  Their  corporations  were  necessarily  weak,  and 
exposed  to  the,  intrusion  of  vagrants  and  outlaws,  who 
would  not  submit  to  the  steady  government  which  was 
maintained  in  the  colonies  of  Massachusetts  and  Plymouth. 
Had  these  political  combinations  been  left  to  the  manage- 
ment of  their  original  framers,  and  their  posterity,  they 
might  have  exhibited  an  example  of  the  finest  republics 
on  historic  record.  But  the  constant  influx  of  emigrants, 
and  of  demagogues  invited  by  their  weakness,  rendered 
this  expectation  hopeless.  These  considerations  induced 
the  settlement  to  desire  a  union  with  the  colony  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. 

The  subject  having  been  for  some  time  in  agitation,  in 
the  year  1641,  the  settlements  on  and  near  the  Piscata- 
qua,  submitted  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  on 
condition  of  enjoying  equal  privileges  with  the  people  of 
that  colony,  and  having  a  court  of  justice  maintained 
among  themselves.  They  were  cordially  accepted  by 
that  government,  and  thus,  by  a  solemn  compact,  became 
a  part  of  the  colony  of  Massachusetts.  From  this  time, 
the  settlements  advanced  in  a  more  rapid  progress,  and  in 
greater  security ;  and  their  civil  and  ecclesiastical  history 


64  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

becomes  one  with  the  colony  of  which  they  now  consti- 
tuted a  respectable  portion.  This  union  continued  till 
the  year  1679,  when,  by  the  authority  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  New-Hampshire  was  separated  from  the  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts,  and  became  a  royal  province. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  characters  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  New-England,  was  Roger  Williams.  He  was  a 
man  of  considerable  ability  and  learning,  active  and  dili- 
gent in  his  pursuits,  humane  and  benevolent  in  his  cha- 
racter, ever  fond  of  novelty  and  change.  Previous  to  his 
coming  to  America,  Mr.  Williams  was  a  minister  in  the 
church  of  England.  He  came  to  New-England  in  the 
year  1631,  and  resided  two  years  at  Plymouth.  He  there 
exercised  his  ministerial  functions,  occasionally,  to  good 
acceptance. 

During  his  residence  at  Plymouth,  his  conduct  was  in- 
offensive, and  his  character  naturally  mild,  so  that  he  ever 
after  retained  the  esteem  of  the  people  of  that  colony.  In 
1633,  he  removed  to  Salem,  and,  on  the  death  of  their 
excellent  minister,  Mr.  Skelton,  the  church  in  that  town 
invited  Mr.  Williams  to  become  their  pastor.  During  his 
connexion  with  the  church  at  Salem,  Mr.  Williams  incul- 
cated many  opinions  which  were  disapproved  by  the  go- 
vernment and  churches  of  the  colony,  which  it  was 
thought  \vould  prejudice  their  interests  in  the  view  of  the 
mother  country,  and  destroy  that  system  of  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  polity  on  which  the  colony  existed. 

After  much  faithful  and  friendly  dealing,  Mr.  Williams 
being  unwilling  to  renounce  or  conceal  the  sentiments 
which  he  entertained,  in  1635,  he  was  directed  by  the  go- 
vernment to  depart  from  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachu- 
setts. He  removed  with  a  few  followers,  and  sat  down 
within  the  Plymouth  jurisdiction,  in  the  present  town  of 
Rehoboth.  The  year  following,  at  the  desire  of  Gover- 
nor Winslow,  lest  the  government  of  Massachusetts  should 
take  umbrage  at  his  remaining  within  the  Plymouth  ju- 
risdiction, he  crossed  the  Pawtucket  River,  and,  with 
about  twenty  settlers,  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present 
opulent  and  flourishing  town  of  Providence. 

These  dissentions  were  conducted  in  such  a  manner, 
that  no  personal  alienation  appears  to  have  taken  place 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  65 

between  Mr.  Williams  and  Governor  Winthrop ;  and  a 
constant  interchange  of  good  offices  existed  between  the 
Providence  Plantation  and  the  Massachusetts  and  Ply- 
mouth Colonies.  In  the  war  with  the  Pequots  in  1637, 
there  was  a  cordial  co-operation  of  all  the  plantations 
against  the  common  enemy.  Probably  no  individual  of 
the  age  made  greater  and  more  successful  exertions  to 
maintain  the  peace  of  the  colonies  with  the  natives  ;  and, 
living  in  the  vicinity  of  several  powerful  tribes,  he  was 
vigilant  in  discovering  their  designs,  and  gave  the  other 
colonies  timely  notice  of  their  hostile  machinations. 

Mr.  Williams,  for  some  years,  established  no  particular 
church  order,  inviting  persons  of  all  religious  sentiments 
to  unite  with  his  rising  plantation.  After  a  few  years,  he 
and  several  of  his  people  renounced  the  baptism  of  their 
infancy,  were  re-baptized,  and  united  in  a  church,  which 
was,  I  believe,  the  first  Baptist  church  in  New-England. 
On  account  of  differences  of  sentiment  which  subse- 
quently prevailed  in  the  church,  in  the  year  1653,  it  was 
divided,  and  became  two  churches.  Mr.  Williams  pur- 
chased the  lands  of  his  plantation  of  the  Indian  proprie- 
tors, and  no  man  enjoyed  their  confidence  in  a  higher  de- 
gree. He  was  the  father  of  the  colony,  and,  for  some 
time,  he  appears  to  have  possessed  and  exercised  the  prin- 
cipal powers  of  government  which  existed.  In  some  of 
the  first  years  of  the  Providence  Plantation,  the  people 
suffered  very  sensibly  from  scarcity.  The  product  of 
their  forests  and  rivers  saved  them  from  perishing  by  fa- 
mine. The  most  of  the  fathers  of  New-England  expe- 
rienced the  evils  of  war  and  famine,  in  a  degree  of  which 
their  posterity  are  unable  to  form  any  adequate  conception. 

At  the  time  of  the  banishment  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson  from 
Massachusetts,  several  people  who  had  favoured  her  reli 
gious  opinions,  and,  of  course,  differed  in  principle  from 
the  prevailing  sentiments  of  the  churches,  chose  to  re- 
move from  the  colony.  One  of  these  was  Mr.  William 
Coddington,  a  gentleman  of  education  and  affluence,  who 
had  been  for  several  years  an  assistant,  and  one  of  the 
most  worthy  magistrates  of  the  Massachusetts  govern- 
ment. In  the  year  1638,  Mr.  Coddington,  with  a  few 
others,  removed  to  Narraganset  Bay,  and  commenced  the 

6* 


66  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

settlement  of  Rhode  Island.  These  planters  immediately 
united  in  a  civil  compact,  to  which  Mr.  Coddington  and 
seventeen  others  subscribed  their  names. 

This  infant  plantation  furnishes  an  instance  of  some- 
thing of  the  simplicity  and  natural  existence  of  a  patriar- 
chal government.  Mr.  Coddington,  a  man  of  great  virtue 
and  natural  dignity  of  charactei,  possessing  the  confi- 
dence of  all,  was  created  their  magistrate,  to  whom  was 
delegated  the  necessary  powers  of  civil  government.  By 
the  friendly  assistance  of  Mr.  Williams,  he  purchased  the 
island  of  the  Indians  ;  and,  in  consequence  of  its  plea- 
santness and  fertility,  in  a  few  years  it  became  a  flourish- 
ing settlement.  In  the  year  1644,  a  Baptist  church  was 
formed  in  Newport,  which  was  afterwards  divided  into 
two.  A  congregational  church  was  formed  in  Newport, 
in  1720;  and  a  second  one  in  1728.  These  two  churches 
afterwards  enjoyed  the  ministry  of  the  most  eminent 
American  divines  of  the  last  century — President  Stiles 
and  Dr.  Hopkins. 

These  settlements  being  destitute  of  any  chartered 
government  from  the  mother  country,  in  1643  Mr.  Wil- 
liams went  to  England,  and  by  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Vane, 
who  had  been  governor  of  Massachusetts,  obtained  a  libe- 
ral charter  of  incorporation  of  Providence  and  Rhode- 
Island  Plantations.  The  form  of  government  provided 
by  this  incorporation  was  essentially  similar  to  that  esta- 
blished in  the  adjacent  colonies.  Mr.  Williams  lived  to 
a  great  age,  and  was  chosen  several  times  governor  of  the 
colony. 

As  early  as  the  year  1607,  some  of  the  Patentees  of  the 
northern  colony  of  Virginia  began  a  settlement  at  the 
mouth  of  the  River  Sagadahock,  now  Kennebeck.  They 
laid  the  plan  of  an  extensive  and  opulent  state.  But  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  the  principal  patrons,  and  the 
severities  endured  by  the  planters,  the  settlement  broke 
up  the  following  year,  and  those  who  were  living  returned 
to  England.  The  first  permanent  settlements  made  with- 
in the  District  of  Maine,  commenced  about  the  year  1630. 
The,  oldest  towns  are  Kittery  and  York. 

In  the  year  1635,  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  obtained  from 
the  council  of  Plymouth  a  'grant  of  the  tract  of  land  Jying 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  67 

between  the  Rivers  Sagadahock  and  Piscataqua.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  he  instituted  civil  government  in  the  province. 
Courts  were  held  as  early  as  1636,  who  appear  to  have 
exercised  legislative  and  judicial  powers.  In  1639,  Gorges 
obtained  from  the  crown  a  charter,  conveying  the  amplest 
powers  of  jurisdiction.  He  appointed  a  governor  and 
council,  who  administered  justice  to  the  people  to  their 
general  satisfaction,  for  a  number  of  years. 

After  the  death  of  the  proprietor,  these  powers  of  go- 
vernment were  generally  supposed  to  have  expired.  The 
different  settlements  formed  some  kind  of  voluntary  com- 
pacts, and  elected  their  own  rulers.  But  the  people,  soon 
perceiving  the  inconveniences  of  this  state  of  things,  in 
the  year  1652,  united  with  the  government  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  became  an  integral  part  of  that  colony. 

In  the  first  settlements,  churches  were  early  established, 
who  enjoyed  the  labours  of  some  of  the  worthiest  ministers 
of  their  time.  In  general,  their  early  civil  and  religious 
institutions  were  very  similar  to  those  of  Massachusetts. 

No  part  of  New-England  has  suffered  so  much  from  the 
hostility  of  the  natives,  as  the  District  of  Maine.  Many 
ferocious  tribes  of  savages  were  settled  on  the  rivers  with 
which  the  country  abounds,  and  from  the  small  progress 
made  by  the  settlements  for  a  long  period,  they  were  un- 
able to  subdue  their  power,  or  prevent  their  predatory  in- 
cursions. From  the  proximity  of  that  district  to  Canada, 
in  all  the  wars  between  England  and  France  for  a  century 
after  its  first  settlement,  they  were  exposed  to  the  hostile 
incursions  of  the  savages,  stimulated  by  a  most  artful  and 
unfeeling  enemy.  Many  of  their  towns  have  been  pillaged 
and  burnt,  and  many  of  the  people  made  captives  and 
slain.  So  late  as  the  war  of  1745,  many  of  the  towns  suf- 
fered severely  from  savage  hostility. 

The  state  of  Vermont,  the  youngest  of  the  New-Eng- 
land States,  has  advanced  in  population  and  wealth  more 
rapidly  than  either  of  the  others,  and  holds  a  respectable 
rank  in  their  number.  The  tract  of  country  composing 
that  state,  lying  between  the  states  of  New-Hampshire 
and  New- York,  to  which  both  laid  an  imperfect  claim,  re- 
mained long  unoccupied. 

In  the  year  1724,  in  the  time  of  a  severe  Indian  war, 


68  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  government  of  Massachusetts  erected  Fort  Dummer- 
\vithin  the  present  town  of  Brattleborough,  and  commenced 
a  small  settlement  near  the  fort.  This  was  then  supposed 
to  be  within  the  limits  of  Massachusetts ;  but,  on  running 
the  province  lines  in  1741,  it  fell  within  the  state  of  Ver- 
mont. In  the  year  1731,  the  French  from  Canada  erect- 
ed the  well-built  fort  at  Crown  Point,  on  the  west  side  of 
Lake  Champlain,  and,  soon  after,  began  a  settlement  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  lake,  opposite  to  the  fort. 

From  the  time  in  which  the  provincial  line  between 
Massachusetts  and  New-Hampshire  was  ascertained,  till 
after  the  peace  of  1763,  when  it  became  a  subject  of  con- 
troversy, the  territory  of  Vermont  was  considered  as  be- 
longing to  New-Hampshire.  The  town  of  Bennington, 
as  it  is  one  of  the  best,  is  considered  the  oldest  town  in  the 
state.  This  township  was  granted  to  certain  proprietors, 
in  the  year  1749,  by  the  Governor*  of  New-Hampshire, 
and  called  after  his  name.  Soon  after  this  grant,  the  set- 
tlement of  that  town  commenced. 

In  four  or  five  of  the  following  years,  a  few  other  towns 
were  granted  by  the  government  of  New-Hampshire,  on 
the  western  side  of  Connecticut  River.  The  war  of  1755, 
put  a  stop  to  these  grants  and  settlements.  In  the  pro- 
gress of  the  war,  the  territory  of  Vermont  became  the 
scene  of  military  operations.  These  events  produced  a 
general  acquaintance  with  many  parts  of  the  country,  and 
towards  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  extensive  grants  oi 
townships  were  made  by  the  New-Hampshire  government, 
and  numerous  openings  were  made  in  the  wilderness. 

From  1764  to  the  commencement  of  the  American  war, 
the  new  settlers  were  harassed  with  conflicting  claims  to 
their  territory,  maintained  by  the  provinces  of  New- 
Hampshire  and  New-York.  Notwithstanding  these  em- 
barrassments, the  infant  settlements  gradually  increased 
by  emigrations  from  the  several  New-England  provinces. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  1775,  the  people  of 
Vermont  warmly  espoused  the  American  cause,  and,  du- 
ring its  continuance,  performed  many  important  services. 
As  the  authority  of  the  royal  governments  became  disa- 

*  Benning-  Wintworth. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  69 

vowed,  the  people  finding  themselves  wholly  destitute  of 
any  bonds  of  civil  government,  public  sentiment  naturally 
adverted  to  the  necessity  of  some  political  regulations  for 
the  general  safety. 

There  having  been  several  conventions  of  committees 
of  towns,  to  deliberate  on  measures  to  be  pursued,  in 
January,  1777,  a  convention  of  delegates  from  the  respec- 
tive towns,  held  at  Westminster,  resolved  that  the  terri- 
tory now  included  in  that  state,  should  "  be  considered 
as  a  free  and  independent  jurisdiction  of  state  :  to  be  for 
ever  hereafter  called,  known,  and  distinguished,  by  the 
name  of  New-Connecticut,  alias  Vermont."  From  this 
period,  Vermont  became  an  independent  state ;  and,  in 
1791,  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  American  union. 

The  settlers  of  Vermont  were  mostly  emigrants  from 
Connecticut,  and,  for  several  years  after  the  peace  of  1783, 
their  number  increased  with  an  unprecedented  rapidity. 
Their  civil  and  religious  institutions  were  generally  copied 
from  those  existing  in  Connecticut.  A  congregational 
church  was  early  established  at  Bennington,  and  continued 
many  years  under  the  ministry  of  the  pious  and  worthy 
Mr.  Dewey.  In  most  of  the  towns,  churches  were  esta- 
blished at  an  early  period  of  their  settlement,  who  have 
enjoyed  the  labours  of  many  able  and  faithful  ministers 
of  Christ. 

The  churches  and  ministers  in  Vermont  have  been  re- 
markable for  uniformity  in  religious  sentiment  and  prac- 
tice, conformable  to  the  Calvinistic  system,  and  to  the 
doctrines  of  the  gospel  so  ably  vindicated  by  several  New- 
England  divines  of  the  last  century.  The  late  Dr.  Job 
Swift,  who  has  been  styled  the  Apostle  of  Vermont,  not 
more  distinguished  for  abilities  and  piety,  than  for  inde- 
fatigable labours,  was  an  eminent  instrument  of  orga- 
nizing and  establishing  the  churches  and  religious  institu 
tions  of  the  state,  and  was  an  unshaken  pillar  of  divine 
truth,  in  the  midst  of  his  labours  in  the  service  of  his  Mas- 
ter and  his  fellow  men,  was  suddenly  removed  to  his  eter- 
nal rest.  The  churches  and  people  of  the  state  have 
been  favoured  with  many  gracious  manifestations  of  the 
special  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  reviewing  the  in- 


70  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

terests  of  vital  religion,  and  bringing  many  souls  into  the 
holy  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer. 

Probably  no  instance  can  be  found  in  the  history  of 
men,  where  all  public  institutions  of  a  civil,  moral,  and 
religious  character,  are  held  so  entirely  under  the  constant 
control  of  public  sentiment,  as  in  the  -state  of  Vermont. 
It  is  earnestly  hoped,  that  through  the  merciful  favour  ol 
Heaven,  that  people  maybe  long  worthy  <5f  the  possessioi 
of  the  many  privileges  which  they  now  enjoy. 

Remarks  upon  the  Religion  of  the  Colony. 

It  is  a  very  singular  fact,  that  while  the  English  govern- 
ment, and  all  the  ecclesiastical  authority,  were  using  their 
most  vigilant  exertions  to  suppress  evangelical  religion, 
and  put  an  effectual  stop  to  the  progress  of  puritanism, 
and  while  the  New-England  colonies  were  formed  for  the 
express  purpose  of  the  promotion  of  these  objects,  they 
were  suffered  to  proceed  with  very  little  molestation. 
The  company  that  formed  the  settlement  of  Plymouth, 
having  long  experienced  the  severities  of  ecclesiastical 
tyranny,  were  fearful  of  forming  a  settlement  in  any  of  the 
dominions  of  the  British  king,  without  a  promise  that  they 
should  not  be  obstructed  in  the  free  exercise  of  their  reli- 
gion. Frequent  and  earnest  solicitations  were  made  to 
the  royal  court  for  such  a  permission. 

But  as  such  a  concession  would  not  comport  with  the 
maxims  of  a  bigoted  prince,  and  a  persecuting  prelate,  it 
was  never  obtained.  The  adventurers,  therefore,  com- 
mitted their  case  to  the  protection  of  God,  and  they  were 
not  disappointed.  The  succeeding  companies,  though 
many  important  civil  privileges  were  secured  to  them  by 
patent,  could  obtain  no  more  than  indirect  intimations  that 
they  might  enjoy  liberty  of  conscience  in  the  services  of 
religion.  They  hoped,  indeed,  that  the  God  whom  they 
served,  would  remember  their  wants,  and  that  the  distance 
of  three  thousand  miles  would  mitigate  the  rage  of  per- 
secution. 

The  religious  order  which  they  established  was  directly 
opposed  to  the  sentiments  of  the  government,  and  was 
such  as  they  had  long  laboured  to  suppress.  But  through 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  71 

the  interference  of  various  causes,  in  which  the  hand  of 
Qod  was  peculiarly  visible,  they  were  left  undisturbed,  till 
their  churches  had  become  firmly  established.  Archbi- 
shop Laud  resolved,  at  length,  to  interfere,  and  subject  the 
colonies  to  the  same  ecclesiastical  order  as  the  mother 
country.  But  his  death  soon  put  an  end  to  his  design. 

The  long  period  of  the  civil  wars,  and  the  common- 
wealth which  then  succeeded,  enabled  the  ecclesiastical  in- 
stitutions of  the  colonies  to  acquire  such  a  consistence  as 
could  not  easily  be  dissolved.  That  remarkable  interval 
in  the  English  monarchy,  of  which  there  has  been  no 
equal  in  ten  centuries,  was  the  occasion  of  the  establish- 
ment of  the  gospel  order  in  the  New-England  churches. 
How  unsearchable  and  holy  are  the  appointments  of  God  ! 

In  1656,  Quakers  made  their  first  appearance  in  the 
Massachusetts  colony ;  but  the  legislature  passed  laws 
for  their  banishment:  that  any  Quaker,  returning  from 
banishment  to  renew  his  practices  against  the  colony, 
should  be  put  to  death.  Under  this  law  four  persous  were 
executed. 

Any  master  of  any  vessel  that  should  bring  any  of  this 
sect  into  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  should  be  sub- 
ject to  a  fine  of  one  hundred  pounds.  Notwithstanding 
this  arbitrary  law,  it  appears  that  this  sect  continued  to  n  • 
crease,  even  down  to  the  present  time,  and  holds  a  very 
respectable  station  among  other  honourable  societies. 

The  Roman  Catholics  first  came  to  America  in  1632. 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  America  was  formed  at  Pro- 
vidence, in  1639. 

Manners  and  Customs. — The  laws  of  the  colonies,  in 
1639,  prohibited  the  custom  of  drinking  healths.  In  1651 , 
the  legislature  passed  laws,  prohibiting  all  persons  whose 
estate  did  not  exceed  two  hundred  pounds,  from  wearing 
any  gold  or  silver  lace,  or  any  bone  lace,  that  cost  above 
two  shillings  per  yard.  The  selectmen  were  authorized 
to  take  notice  of  the  fashions,  the  apparel  of  the  people, 
especially  in  wearing  of  ribands  and  great  boots. 

In  1647,  it  was  ordered,  that  no  person  under  the  age 
of  twenty  years,  should  use  any  tobacco,  unless  he  should 
bring  a  certificate  from  a  physician  that  it  was  useful  to 
him 


72  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Agriculture  was  first  attended  to  by  clearing  the  forests, 
by  cutting  down  the  trees,  and  digging  up  the  stumps, 
before  tillage.  The  first  neat  cattle  were  brought  into 
New-England  by  Mr.  Winslow,  in  1624.  In  1633,  the 
cattle  in  Virginia  had  increased  to  about  1000  head, 
They  also  raised  a  large  quantity  of  wheat  and  rye,  some 
peas,  beans,  flax,  and  hemp. 

Commerce. — The  colony  imported  all  their  merchan- 
dise from  England,  and  exported  thither  peltry,  tobacco, 
beef,  pork,  grain,  and  fish.  The  importations  from  Eng- 
land much  exceeded  the  exports  thither.  The  skins  ot 
deer,  elk,  buffalo,  and  the  furs  of  otters,  hare,  fox,  musk- 
rat  and  beaver,  were  purchased  of  Indians,  for  rum,  blank- 
ets, &c.  and  exported  to  England. 

Arts  and  Manufactures. — In  1620,  100  persons  came 
from  England,  to  carry  on  the  manufacture  of  silk,  pot- 
ash, tar,  pitch,  glass,  and  salt,  but  did  not  succeed.  All 
cordage,  sail  cloth,  and  mats,  came  from  England.  Brick 
and  framed  houses  were  soon  built  in- large  towns.  The 
first  mill  was  a  wind-mill,  built  near  \Vaiertown.  The 
first  vessel  was  built  in  Massachusetts,  which  was  called 
the  Blessing  of  the  Bay.  In  1633,  a  ship  of  60  tons  was 
built  at  Medford.  In  1641,  one  was  built  at  Salem,  of  300 
tons,  and  another  of  160  tons,  at  Boston. 

Printing  was  first  introduced  in  1639.  The  first  thing 
printed  was  a  Freeman's  Oath ;  the  next  an  Almanac ; 
the  third  a  collection  of  Psalms. 

Education. — Scarcely  had  the  people  opened  the  for- 
est, and  constructed  habitations,  before  they  directed  their 
attention  towards  the  education  of  their  children.  Schools 
were  free  to  all  classes  of  people  ;  the  poor  had  the 
same  advantage  in  educating  their  children  as  the  rich. 

Population  of  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  Rhode- 
Island,  New-Hampshire,  Maine,  and  Vermont,  was  esti- 
mated at  about  75,000. 

But  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  very  exactly  the  popu- 
lation of  the  Amerxcan  colonies  at  the  close  of  this  period. 
The  estimates  made  by  writers,  are  vague,  and  often  con- 
tradictory. It  is  worthy  of  particular  notice,  that  so 
small  a  population,  scattered  over  such  an  extent  of  coun- 
try, shoukl  have  been  able  to  conquer  so  many  Indians, 
and  thereov  save  themselves  from  savage  destruction. 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES. 


PART  SECOND. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Discovery  and  Progress  of  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States. 

NEW-YORK. 

The  reader's  first  attention  in  this  second  part,  will  be 
directed  to  the  settlement  of  New- York. 

Captain  Henry  Hudson,  commissioned  by  the  king,  in 
1 608,  sailed  in  the  employment  of  several  London  mer- 
chants, to  North  America.  He  came  upon  the  coast,  in 
about  forty  degrees  of  north  latitude,  and  made  a  disco- 
very of  Long-Island  and  Hudson  River.  He  proceeded 
up  the  river,  as  far  as  the  latitude  of  forty-three,  and  call- 
ed it  by  his  own  name. 

About  two  years  after,  he  made  a  second  voyage  to  the 
river,  in  the  service  of  a  number  of  Dutch  merchants ; 
and  some  time  after,  sold  his  right  to  them.     The  right  to 
the  country,  tyowever,  belonged  to  King  James,  by  virtue 
of  the  discovery  which  Hudson  had  made  under  his  com 
mission.     The  English  protested  against  the  sale.     Bu 
the  Dutch,  in  1614,  built  a  fort,  nearly  on  the  same  ground 
where  Albany  now  stands,  which  they  called  Fort  Au- 
ranea. 

Sir  Thomas  Dale,  governor  of  Virginia,  directly  after 
despatched  Captain  Argall  to  dispossess  the  Dutch,  and 
they  submitted  to  the  king  of  England,  and  under  the  g*  - 
vernor  of  Virginia 

7 


74  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

But,  receiving  a  reinforcement  the  next  year,  they  again 
asserted  the  right  of  Holland  to  the  country,  and  erected 
Fort  Amsterdam  on  the  south  of  the  island.  The  Eng- 
lish, for  many  years,  did  not  interfere. 

In  1621,  an  extensive  territory  on  both  sides  of  the  Hud- 
son, was  granted  to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  and 
called  New-Netherlands.  The  boundaries  were  consider- 
ed by  the  company  as  including  Connecticut  River  on  the 
north,  and  Delaware  River  on  the  south.  In  1623,  they 
erected  a  fort  on  the  Delaware,  which  they  called  Nassau  ; 
and,  in  1633,  they  erected  another  on  Connecticut,  which 
they  called  Good  Hope.  Near  the  former  the  Swedes 
had  a  settlement ;  and  a  quarrel  arose  between  the  set- 
tlers, which  continued  for  many  years,  which  terminated 
in  the  subjugation  of  the  Swedes. 

NEW-JERSEY. 

The  first  settlement  of  New- Jersey  was  made  by  the 
Danes,  about  the  year  1624.  Soon  afterwards,  several 
Dutch  families  seated  themselves  in  the  vicinity  of  New- 
York.  In  1626,  a  company  was  formed  in  Sweden,  under 
the  patronage  of  King  Gustavus  Adolphus,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  planting  a  colony  in  America. 

The  next  year  a  number  of  Swedes  and  Finns  came 
over,  and  made  a  settlement  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Dela- 
ware River. 

In  1640,  the  English  began  a  plantation  on  the  eastern 
bank.  The  Swedes,  in  concert  with  the  Dutch,  who  pos- 
sessed New- York,  drove  them  out  of  the  country. 

DELAWARE. 

This  state  was  settled  by  a  company  of  Swedes  and 
Finns,  under  the  patronage  of  King  Gustavus  Adolphus. 

In  1627,  they  landed  at  Cape  Henlopen,  and  were  so 
charmed  with  its  appearance,  that  they  gave  it  the  name 
of  Paradise  I'omt.  The  country  tney  called  New-Sweden, 
and  the  River  Delaware,  New-Swedeland  Stream.  They 
purchased  of  the  Indians,  the  lands  on  both  sides  of  that 
riv*ar,  from  the  sea  to  the  falls,  and  seated  themselves  at 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  76 

the  mouth  of  Christian  Creek,  near  Wilmington.  Being 
frequently  molested  by  the  Dutch,  who  claimed  a  right-  to 
the  country,  they,  for  their  protection,  built  forts  at  Chris- 
tian, Lewiston,  and  Tinicum.  The  last  was  their  seat 
of  government,  and  John  Printz,  their  governor,  erected  an 
elegant  mansion  at  this  place,  which  he  named  Printz  Hall 

MARYLAND. 

This  state  was  settled  by  one  Calvert,  who  sailed  for 
America  near  the  close  of  1633,  accompanied  by  about 
two  hundred  emigrants,  chiefly  Roman  Catholics. 

They  arrived  in  February,  1634,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
River  Potomac.  At  a  conference  with  the  Indians,  who 
dwelt  on  the  shore,  they  purchased  Yoamaco,  a  consider- 
able village,  the  site  which  St.  Mary's  now  occupies. 

This  colony,  as  well  as  all  others,  in  the  early  period  of 
their  existence,  was  afflicted  with  troubles  ;  they  were 
principally  caused  by  one  William  Clayborne.  While  a 
member  of  the  Virginia  council,  he  had  obtained  a  license 
from  the  king  to  traffic  in  those  parts  of  America  where 
no  other  person  enjoyed  the  exclusive  right  of  trade.  Un- 
der this  license  he  had  made  a  small  settlement  on  the 
island  of  Kent,  and  when  the  grant  was  made  to  Lord 
Baltimore,  refused  to  submit  to  his  authority.  He  per- 
suaded the  natives  that  the  new  comers  were  Spaniards, 
and  enemies  to  the  Virginians. 

An  Indian  war  was  the  consequence,  which  continued 
for  several  years  with  great  distress.  Clayborne  was  in- 
dicted, and  convicted  of  murder,  piracy,  and  sedition,  and, 
fleeing  from  justice,  his  estate  was  confiscated.  He  ap- 
plied to  the  king  for  redress,  but  did  not  succeed.  When 
the  civil  war  between  the  king  and  parliament  began,  he 
embraced  the  cause  of  the  latter,  returned  to  Maryland, 
a  ad,  by  his  intrigues,  fomented,  in  1645,  a  rebellion  against 
its  rulers,  who  were  attached  to  the  royal  cause.  Calvert, 
the  governor,  was  compelled  to  fly  to  Virginia,  and  the 
insurgents  seized  the  reins  of  government.  The  next 
year,  however,  the  revolt  was  suppressed,  and  tranquillity 
restored. 


76  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1630,  Charles  I.  granted  to  Sir  Robert  Heath  all  the 
territory  between  the  30th  and  36th  degrees  of  north  lati- 
tude, and  extending  from  the  Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  South 
Sea,  by  the  name  of  Carolina.  Under  this  grant,  no  set- 
tlement was  made.  In  1640,  some  person  fled  from  Vir- 
ginia, and  without  license  from  any  source,  occupied  that 
portion  of  North  Carolina  north  of  Albemarle  Sound.  In 
1661,  another  settlement  was  made  near  the  mouth  of 
Clarendon  River,  by  adventurers  from  Massachusetts. 
The  land  being  sterile,  and  the  Indians  hostile,  they  soon 
abandoned  it. 

In  June,  a  patent  was  granted  by  the  king,  conveying 
to  twenty-one  trustees,  the  territory  now  constituting  the 
state  of  Georgia,  which  was  to  be  apportioned  gratuitously 
among  the  people,  and  donations  were  made  for  the  pur- 
pose of  conveying  them  thither,  and  for  their  support  the 
first  season. 

In  November,  one  hundred  and  thirty  emigrants  em- 
barked for  Georgia  :  in  January,  they  arrived  at  Charles- 
ton. The  Carolinians  gave  the  adventurers  a  cordial  wel- 
come ;  they  supplied  them  with  provisions  and  boats  to 
carry  them  to  the  place  of  their  destination ;  and  on  the 
9th  of  February,  they  erected  the  first  house,  where  Sa- 
vannah now  stands. 

History  of  the  whole  Colonies  of  America  co7nbined,  from 
1661. 

Before  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Con- 
necticut, in  October,  1662,  the  charter  was  brought  over. 
Upon  the  day  of  the  election,  it  was  publicly  read  to  the 
freemen,  and  declared  to  belong  to  them  and  to  their  suc- 
cessors. They  thqn  proceeded  to  make  choice  of  Mr. 
Wyllys,  Mr.  Talcott,  and  Mr.  Allen,  to  receive  the  char- 
ter into  custody,  and  keep  it  in  behalf  of  the  colony. 

In  1663,  a  tax  of  three  hundred  pounds  was  levied  upon 
the  colony.  A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  appointed. 
The  colony  was  much  in  debt ;  many  were  dissatisfied 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  77 

with  the  governor,  and  refused  to  pay  any  thing  for  his 
support. 

No  sooner  did  the  officers  begin  to  distrain  the  rates  of 
those  who  refused  to  pay,  than  it  produced  the  most  alarm- 
ing consequences.  The  gentlemen  from  Connecticut  re- 
monstrated against  collecting  taxes  from  those  who  had 
been  taken  under  the  protection  of  that  colony,  and  desired 
New-Haven  to  suspend  the  affair  for  further  consideration. 

Colonel  Nichols  arrived  at  Boston,  with  a  fleet  and 
troops  under  his  command,  July  23,  1664.  He  immedi- 
ately communicated  his  commission  to  the  colonies,  and 
requested  the  troops  to  assist  him  against  the  Dutch.  He 
then  sailed  for  New-Netherlands,  and  on  the  20th  of  Au- 
gust made  a  demand  upon  the  town  and  forts  upon  the 
Island  of  Manhadoes.  Governor  Winthrop,  with  several 
gentlemen  from  Connecticut,  joined  him,  according  to  his 
wishes.  Stuyvesant,  the  Dutch  governor,  was  an  old 
soldier,  and  had  he  been  prepared,  doubtless  would  have 
made  a  brave  defence.  He  was  extremely  opposed  to  a 
surrender  of  the  fort  and  town,  but  the  opposition  party 
outnumbered  him,  and  he  was  obliged  to  submit  on  the 
27th  of  August. 

After  the  reduction  of  the  Dutch,  Colonel  Nichols  fixed 
his  residence  at  New-York,  to  manage  the  affairs  of  go- 
vernment. About  1664,  a  settlement  commenced  on  the 
east  side  of  Connecticut  River.  In  1667,  Lyme  was  made 
a  distinct  town.  In  this  and  the  next  year,  several  new 
settlements  were  made,  and  new  towns  incorporated.  On 
the  20th  of  May,  1662,  a  purchase  was  made  of  the  Indians, 
and  East  Haddam  settled  by  twenty-eight  persons.  In 
the  session  of  May,  1670,  it  was  enacted  that  Massacoe 
should  be  called  Simsbury. 

At  the  same  term,  New-Haven  village  was  incorporated, 
and  made  a  town,  by  the  name  of  Wallingford.  In  1643, 
war  had  been  declared  in  England  against  the  Dutch. 
The  colony  was  put  into  a  state  of  defence,  and  it  was  or- 
dered that  a  troop  of  horse  should  be  raised  in  each  county. 
On  the  30th  of  July,  a  small  Dutch  fleet  arrived  at  New- 
York.  One  John  Manning,  who  commanded  the  fort  and 
island,  treacherously  delivered  them  to  the  enemy,  with- 
out firing  a  gun  or  attempting  the  least  resistance. 

•7* 


78  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Scarcely  had  the  colonies  recovered  from  their  calami- 
ties, before  new  and  more  terrible  alarm  and  destruction 
presented  themselves  to  all  the  colonies  of  New-England. 
On  the  first  of  July,  1674,  the  Duke  of  York  commissioned 
Sir  Edmund  Andross  to  be  governor  of  New-York,  and 
all  New-England.  Sir  Edmund  was  a  tyrant  over  the 
people,  but  New-England  refused  to  submit  to  this  man 
as  their  ruler.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  Sir  Edmund 
Andross  was  about  to  make  a  hostile  invasion  on  the  co- 
lony, and  to  demand  its  surrender.  Detachments  from 
the  military  were  sent  to  New-London  and  Saybrook. 
Captain  Thomas  Bull,  of  Hartford,  commanded  the  party 
at  Saybrook. 

About  the  9th  of  July,  1675,  the  people  of  that  town 
were  surprised  by  the  appearance  of  Major  Andross,  with 
an  armed  force  in  the  sound,  making  directly  for  the  fort. 
The  fort  was  soon  manned,  and  militia  called  out  for  its 
defence ;  at  this  moment  Captain  Bull  arrived,  which  gave 
them  fresh  courage.  On  the  llth,  Major  Andross  hoisted 
the  king's  flag  on  board,  and  demanded  a  surrender  of 
the  fortress  and  town ;  Captain  Bull  raised  his  majesty's 
colours,  and  prepared  for  defence.  The  major  did  not 
like  to  fire  on  the  king's  colours,  and  thought  it  would  be 
a  bloody  affair  to  reduce  the  town  by  force.  Early  in 
the  morning  of  the  12th,  Sir  Edmund  desired  to  be  ad- 
mitted on  shore. 

Captain  Bull  met  the  major  at  his  landing,  and  re- 
quested a  treaty.  The  major  rejected  the  proposal,  and 
commanded,  in  his  majesty's  name,  that  the  Duke's  pa- 
tent and  his  commission  should  be  read.  Captain  Bull, 
in  his  majesty's  name,  commanded  him  to  forbear  read- 
ing. When  his  clerk  attempted  to  proceed,  Captain  Bull 
again  repeated  his  command  with  such  energy,  that  it 
convinced  the  major  it  was  not  safe  to  proceed.  The 
captain  then  acquainted  him  that  he  had  an  address  from 
the  assembly,  and  read  his  protest. 

Governor  Andross,  pleased  with  his  bold  and  soldier- 
like appearance,  said  "  What  is  your  name  ?"  He  re- 
plied, "  My  name  is  Bull,  sir."  "  Bull,"  said  the  gover- 
nor,—" It  is  a  pity  your  horns  are  not  tipped  with  silver." 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  79 

Finding  he  could  make  no  impression  upon  the  people,  he 
soon  sailed  for  New-York. 

In  the  year  1675,  began  the  famous  Indian  war,  which 
was  termed  King  Philip's  war. 

The  leading  one  was  Philip,  sachem  of  the  tribe  living 
within  the  boundary  of  Plymouth,  Rhode  Island.  His 
brother,  being  suspected  of  plotting  against  the  whites, 
was  seized  by  a  detachment  of  soldiers.  Philip  ever 
sought  to  revenge  the  treatment  of  his  brother.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  forming  a  confederacy  able  to  send  into  action 
between  three  and  four  thousand  warriors. 

The  immediate  cause  of  the  war  was  the  execution  of 
three  Indians  by  the  English,  whom  Philip  had  excited  to 
murder  one  Susaman,  an  Indian  missionary.  Susaman, 
being  friendly  to  the  English,  had  informed  them  that 
Philip,  with  several  tribes,  were  plotting  their  destruction. 

The  execution  of  these  Indians  roused  the  anger  of 
Philip,  who  immediately  armed  his  men,  and  commenced 
hostilities.  Their  first  attack  was  made  June  24th,  upon 
the  people  of  Swanzey,  in  Plymouth  colony,  as  they  \\  ere 
returning  home  from  public  wrorship,  on  a  day  of  humi- 
liation and  prayer,  under  the  apprehension  of  the  ap- 
proaching war.  Eight  or  nine  persons  were  killed. 

The  country  was  immediately  alarmed,  and  the  troops 
of  the  colony  flew  to  the  defence  of  Swanzey.  On  the 
28th,  the  company  of  horse  and  company  of  foot,  with 
one  hundred  and  ten  volunteers  from  Boston,  joined  the 
Plymouth  forces  at  Swanzey.  The  next  morning,  an  at- 
tack was  made  upon  some  of  Philip's  men,  who  were  pur- 
sued, and  five  or  six  of  them  killed.  This  resolute  con- 
duct of  the  English  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  ene- 
my. Philip  with  his  forces  left  Mount  Hope  the  same 
night ;  marking  his  route,  however,  w.ith  the  burning  o 
houses,  and  the  scalping  of  the  defenceless  inhabitants. 

It  being  known  that  the  Narragansets  favoured  the 
cause  of  Philip,  he  having  sent  his  women  and  children 
to  them  for  protection,  the  Massachusetts  forces,  under 
Captain  Hutchinson,  proceeded  forthwith  into  their  coun- 
try, to  renew  a  treaty  with  them,  or  to  give  them  battle. 
Fortunately,  a  treaty  was  concluded,  and  the  troops  re- 
turned. 


80  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  the  17th  of  July,  news  arrived  that  Philip,  with  his 
warriors,  was  in  a  swamp  at  Pocasset,  now  Tiverton. 
The  Massachusetts  and  Plymouth  forces  immediately 
marched  to  that  place,  and  the  next  day  resolutely  charged 
the  enemy  in  their  recesses.  As  the  troops  entered  the 
swamps,  the  Indians  continued  to  retire.  The  English,  in 
vain  pursued,  till  the  approach  of  night,  when  the  com- 
mander ordered  a  retreat.  Many  of  the  English  were 
killed,  and  the  enemy  seemed  to  take  courage. 

It  being  impossible  to  encounter  the  Indians  with  ad- 
vantage in  the  swamps,  it  was  determined  to  starve  them 
out ;  but  Philip,  apprehending  their  design,  contrived  to 
escape  with  his  forces. 

He  now  fled  to  the  Nipmucks,  a  tribe  in  Worcester 
county?  Massachusetts,  whom  he  induced  to  assist  him. 
This  tribe  had  already  commenced  hostilities  against  the 
English  ;  but,  in  the  hope  of  reclaiming  them,  the  gover- 
nor and  council  sent  Captains  Wheeler  and  Hutchinson 
to  treat  with  them.  But  the  Indians,  having  intimation  of 
their  coming,  lurked  in  ambush  for  them,  fired  upon  them 
as  they  approached,  killed  eight  men,  and  mortally  wound- 
ed eight  more,  of  whom  Captain  Hutchinson  was  one. 

The  remainder  of  the  English  fled  to  Quaboag,  Brook- 
field.  The  Indians,  however,  closely  pursued  them  into 
the  town,  and  burnt  every  house  excepting  one,  in  which 
the  inhabitants  had  taken  refuge.  This  house  at  length 
they  surrounded.  "  For  two  days  they  continued  to  pour 
a  storm  of  musket  balls  upon  it,  and  although  countless 
numbers  pierced  through  the  walls,  but  one  person  was 
killed.  With  long  poles,  they  next  thrust  against  it  brands, 
aad  rags  dipped  in  brimstone ;  they  shot  arrows  of  tire  ; 
they  loaded  a  cart  with  flax  and  tow,  and  with  long  poles 
fastened  together,  they  pushed  it  against  the  house.  De- 
struction seemed  inevitable.  The  house  was  kindling,  and 
the  savages  stood  ready  to  destroy  the  first  that  should 
open  the  door  to  escape.  At  this  awful  moment  a  torrent 
of  rain  descended,  and  suddenly  extinguished  the  kind- 
ling flames." 

August  4th,  Major  Willard  came  to  their  relief,  raised 
the  siege,  and  destroyed  a  considerable  number  of  the  as- 
sailants. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  81 

During  the  month  of  September,  Hadley,  Deerfield,  and 
Northfield,  on  Connecticut  river,  were  attacked ;  several  of 
the  inhabitants  were  killed,  and  many  buildings  consumed. 
On  the  18th,  Captain  Lathrop,  with  several  teams,  and 
eighty  young  men,  the  flower  of  the  county  of  Essex,  were 
sent  to  Deerfield  to  transport  a  quantity  of  grain  to  Had- 
ley. On  their  return,  stopping  to  gather  grapes  at  Muddy 
Brook,  they  were  suddenly  attacked  by  near  eight  hundred 
Indians.  Resistance  was  in  vain,  and  seventy  of  these 
young  men  fell  before  the  merciless  enemy,  and  were  bu- 
ried in  one  grave.  Captain  Mosely,  who  was  at  Deerfield, 
hearing  the  report  of  the  guns,  hastened  to  the  spot,  and, 
with  a  few  men,  attacked  the  Indians,  killed  ninety-six, 
and  wounded  forty,  losing  himself  but  two  men. 

Early  in  October,  the  Springfield  Indians,-  who  had 
hitherto  been  friendly  to  the  English,  concerted  a  plan, 
with  the  hostile  tribes,  to  burn  that  town.  Having,  under 
cover  of  night,  received  two  or  three  hundred  of  Philip's 
men  into  their  fort,  with  the  assistance  of  these,  they  set 
fire  to  the  town.  The  plot,  however,  was  discovered  so 
seasonably,  that  troops  arrived  from  Westfield  in  time  to 
save  the  town,  excepting  thirty-two  houses  already  con- 
sumed. 

Soon  after  hostilities  were  commenced  by  Philip,  the 
Tarrenteens  began  their  depredations  in  New-Hampshire, 
and  the  province  of  Maine.  They  robbed  the  boats,  and 
plundered  the  houses  of  the  English.  In  September  they 
fell  on  Saco,  Scarborough,  and  Kittery,  killed  between 
twenty  and  thirty  of  the  inhabitants,  and  consigned  their 
houses,  barns,  and  mills,  to  the  flames. 

Elated  with  these  successes,  they  next  advanced  towards 
Piscataqua,  committing  the  same  outrages  at  Oyster  River, 
Salmon  Falls,  Dover,  and  Exeter.  Before  winter,  sixty 
of  the  English,  in  that  quarter,  were  killed,  and  nearly  as 
many  buildings  consumed. 

The  Indians  in  those  parts,  however,  had  real  ground  of 
complaint.  Some  seamen,  hearing  it  reported  that  In- 
dian children  could  swim  by  instinct,  overset  the  canoe  of 
Squando,  sachem  of  the  Saco  Indians,  in  which  were  his 
squaw  and  infant  child.  This  act  Squando  could  not  over- 
look, especially  as,  some  time  after,  the  child  died,  and,  as 


82  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  sachem  believed,  on  account  of  some  injury  that  it  then 
received.  Besides  this,  several  Indians  had  been  enticed 
on  board  a  vessel,  carried  off,  and  sold  into  slavery.  To 
redress  these  wrongs,  the  Indians  commenced  hostilities. 

Notwithstanding  the  Narragansetts  had  pledged  them- 
selves, by  their  treaty,  not  to  engage  in  the  war  against  the 
English,  it  was  discovered  that  they  were  taking  part  with 
the  enemy.  It  was  deemed  necessary,  therefore,  for  the 
safety  of  the  colonies,  early  to  check  that  powerful  tribe. 

Accordingly,  Governor  Winslow,  of  Plymouth,  with 
about  one  thousand  eight  hundred  troops  from  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  friendly 
Indians,  commenced  their  march  from  Pettyquamscot, 
on  the  19th  of  December,  1675,  through  a  deep  snow, 
towards  the  enemy,  who  were  in  a  swamp  about  fifteen 
miles  distant. 

The  army  arrived  at  the  swamp  at  one  in  the  afternoon. 
Some  Indians,  at  the  edge  of  the  swamp,  were  fired  upon, 
but  fled.  The  whole  army  now  entered,  and  pursued  the 
Indians  to  their  fortress. 

This  stood  on  a  rising  ground'  in  the  middle  of  the 
swamp.  It  was  a  work  of  great  strength  and  labour,  being 
composed  of  palisades,  and  surrounded  by  a  hedge  about 
sixteen  feet  in  thickness. 

One  entrance  only  led  to  the  fort,  through  the  surrounding 
thicket.  Upon  this  the  English  providentially  fell ;  and, 
without  waiting  to  form,  rushed  impetuously  towards  the 
fort.  The  English  captains  entered  first.  The  resistance 
of  the  Indians  was  gallant  and  warlike.  Captains  John- 
son and  Davenport,  with  many  of  their  men,  fell  at  the 
entrance.  At  length  the  English  gave  back,  and  were 
obliged  to  retreat  out  of  the  fort. 

At  this  crisis,  the  army  being  on  the  point  of  a  fatal  re- 
pulse, some  Connecticut  men,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
fort,  discovered  a  place  destitute  of  palisades ;  they  in- 
stantly sprang  into  the  fort,  fell  upon  the  rear  of  the  In- 
dians, and,  aided  by  the  rest  of  the  army,  after  a  desperate 
conflict,  achieved  a  complete  victory.  Six  hundred  wig- 
wams was  now  set  on  fire  The  scene  was  awful.  Deep 
volumes  of  smoke  rolled  up  to  heaven,  mingling  with  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  83 

dying  shrieks  of  mothers  and  infants,  while  the  aged  and 
infirm  were  consuming  in  the  flames. 

Even  at  this  distant  period,  we  cannot  recal  this  scene 
without  pain,  and  can  justify  this  severity  of  our  ances- 
tors, only  by  admitting  its  necessity  for  self-preservation. 

The  Indians  in  the  fort  were  estimated  at  four  thousand  ; 
of  these  seven  hundred  warriors  were  killed,  and  three 
hundred  died  of  their  wounds ;  three  hundred  w«re  taken 
prisoners,  and  as  many  women  and  children.  The  rest, 
except  such  as  were  consumed,  fled. 

The  victory  of  the  English,  complete  as  it  was,  was  pur- 
chased with  blood.  Six  brave  captains  fell ;  eighty  of 
the  troops  were  killed,  or  mortally  wounded,  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty  were  wounded,  who  recovered. 

From  this  defeat  the  Indians  never  recovered.  They 
were  not  yet,  however,  effectually  subdued.  During  the 
winter  they  still  continued  to  murder  and  burn.  The 
towns  of  Lancaster,  Medfield,  Weymouth,  Groton,  Spring- 
field, Northampton,  Sudbury,  and  Marlborough,  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  Warwick  and  Providence,  in  Rhode-Island, 
were  assaulted,  and  some  of  them  partly,  and  others 
wholly  destroyed.  In  March,  Captain  Pierce,  with  fifty 
English,  and  twenty  friendly  Indians,  were  attacked,  and 
every  Englishman,  and  most  of  the  Indians,  were  slain. 
In  April,  Captain  Wadsworth,  marching  with  fifty  men  to 
the  relief  of  Sudbury,  was  surrounded,  and  all  either  killed 
on  the  spot,  or  reserved  for  long  and  distressing  tortures. 

The  success  of  the  Indians,  during  the  winter,  had  been 
great ;  but,  on  the  return  of  spring,  the  tide  turned  against 
them.  The  Narraganset  country  was  scoured,  and  many 
of  the  natives  were  killed,  among  whom  was  Canonchet, 
their  chief  sachem. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  1676,  the  finishing  stroke  was 
given  to  the  war  in  the  United  Colonies,  by  the  death  of 
Philip.  After  his  flight  from  Mount  Hope,  he  had  at- 
tempted to  rouse  the  Mohawrks  against  the  English.  To 
effect  his  purpose,  he  killed,  at  several  times,  some  of  that 
tribe,  and  laid  it  to  the  English.  But  hjs  iniquity  was  dis- 
covered, and  he  was  obliged  hastily  to  flee.  He  returned 
at  length  to  Mount  Hope. 

Tidings  of  his  return  were  brought  to  Captain  Church, 


84  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

a  man  who  had  been  of  eminent  service  in  this  war,  and 
who  was  better  able  than  any  other  person  to  provide 
against  the  wiles  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Church  immedi- 
ately proceeded  to  the  place  of  Philip's  concealment,  near 
Mount  Hope,  accompanied  by  a  small  body  of  men.  On 
his  arrival,  which  was  in  the  night,  he  placed  his  men  in 
ambush  round  the  swamp,  charging  them  not  to  move  till 
daylight,  that  they  might  distinguish  Philip,  should  he  at- 
tempt to  escape.  Such  was  his  confidence  of  success,  that, 
taking  Major  Sandford  by  the  hand,  he  said,  "  It  is  scarcely 
possible  that  Philip  should  escape."  At  that  instant  a 
bullet  whistled  over  their  heads,  and  a  volley  followed. 

The  firing  proceeded  from  Philip,  and  his  men,  who 
were  in  view.  Perceiving  his  peril,  the  savage  chief,  des- 
perately snatched  his  powder  horn  and  gun,  and  ran  fierce- 
ly towards  the  spot  where  an  Englishman  and  Indian  lay 
concealed.  The  English  soldier  levelled  his  gun,  but  it 
missed  fire ;  the  Indian  fired,  and  shot  Philip  through  the 
heart. 

Captain  Church  ordered  him  to  be  beheaded,  and  quar- 
tered. The  Indian  who  executed  this  order,  pronounced 
the  warrior's  epitaph,  "  You  have  been  one  very  great 
man.  You  have  made  many  a  man  afraid  of  you.  But 
so  big  as  you  be,  I  will  now  chop  you  to  pieces." 

Thus  fell  a  savage  hero  and  patriot — of  whose  trans- 
cendant  abilities  our  history  furnishes  melancholy  evi- 
dence. The  advantage  of  civilized  education,  and  a  wider 
theatre  of  action,  might  have  made  the  name  of  Philip  of 
Mount  Hope,  as  memorable  as  that  of  Alexander  or  Caesar. 

After  the  death  of  Philip,  the  war  continued  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Maine,  till  the  spring  of  1678.  But  westward, 
the  Indians  having  lost  their  chiefs,  wigwams,  and  provi- 
sions, and  perceiving  further  contest  vain,  came  in  singly 
by  tens,  and  hundreds,  and  submitted  to  the  English. 

Thus  closed  a  melancholy  period  in  the  annals  of  New 
England  history ;  during  which,  six  hundred  men,  the 
flower  of  her  strength,  had  fallen;  twelve  or  thirteen  towns 
had  been  destroyed,  and  six  hundred  dwelling  houses  con- 
sumed. Every  eleventh  family  was  houseless,  and  every 
eleventh  soldier  had  sunk  in  his  grave.  So  costly  was 
the  inheritance  which  our  fathers  have  transmitted  to  us. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  85 

Never  was  peace  more  welcome  ;  for  never  had  war 
been  more  distressing.  The  whole  population  was  mourn- 
ing for  their  relatives  slain.  The  colonies  had  contracted 
a  large  debt,  which  their  resources,  having  been  so  much 
diminished,  they  found  an  almost  insupportable  burden  , 
yet  they  forebore  to  apply  to  their  mother  country  for  as- 
sistance, which  excited  jealousy.  "  You  act,"  said"  a  privy 
counsellor,  "  as  though  you  were  independent ;  although 
poor,  you  are  proud." 

In  1680,  it  appears  that  there  were  twenty-six  towns  in 
New-England ;  that  the  militia,  including  horse  and  foot 
consisted  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  and  seven  men ; 
that  the  annual  exports  were  about  nine  thousand  pounds. 
There  were  in  the  colony  about  twenty  small  merchants, 
trading  to  Boston,  New- York,  Newfoundland,  and  the 
West-Indits  ;  and  the  shipping  consisted  of  four  ships, 
three  pinks,  eight  sloops,  and  other  small  vessels,  amount- 
ing to  about  twenty-seven  in  number,  the  tonnage  of  which 
was  only  one  thousand  and  fifty.  The  number  of  inhabi- 
tants was  nearly  twelve  thousand. 

In  1(582,  East- Jersey  passed  from  Carteret  to  William 
Penn,  and  twenty-three  associates,  mostly  of  the  Quaker 
persuasion. 

In  April,  Penn  published  a  frame  of  government.  The 
chief  object  was  declared  to  be,  to  support  power  and  re- 
verence among  the  people.  This  year,  William  Penn 
laid  out  Philadelphia  for  his  capital,  which  grew  rapidly. 
In  1683,  Penn  held  the  second  assembly  in  his  new  capi- 
tal, and  presided  in  the  council."  The  lasting  prosperity 
of  Pennsylvania,  the  foundation  of  which  must  be  traced 
to  his  wisdom  and  benevolence,  is  an  eloquent  eulogium 
upon  his  character. 

In  1684,  King  James  established  a  temporary  govern- 
ment over  the  colony,  first  appointing  Joseph  Dudley 
and  in  1686,  he  appointed  Sir  Edmund  Andross  to  be  go- 
vernor of  New-England.  Sir  Edmund  had  been  govern- 
or of  New-York,  and  it  was  known  that  his  conduct  there 
had  been  arbitrary  and  tyrannical.  In  October,  Sir  Ed 
mund,  with  a  guard  of  about  sixty  regular  troops,  went  to 
Hartford. 

The  assembly  met,  as  usual,  in  October,  and  the  go- 
8 


86  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

vernmerit  continued  according  to  charter,  until  the  last  of 
the  month.  About  this  time,  Sir  Edmund,  with  his  suit, 
and  more  than  sixty  regular  troops,  came  to  Hartford, 
when  the  assembly  were  sitting,  demanded  the  charter, 
and  declared  the  government  under  it  to  be  dissolved. 
The  assembly  were  extremely  reluctant  and  slow  with  re- 
spect to  any  resolve  to  surrender  the  charter,  or  with  re- 
spect to  any  motion  to  bring  it  forth.  The  tradition  is, 
that  Governor  Treat  strongly  represented  the  great  ex- 
pense and  hardships  of  the  colonists,  in  planting  the 
country — the  blood  and  treasure  which  thoy  had  expend- 
ed in  defending  it,  both  against  the  savages  and  foreign- 
ers ;  to  what  hardships  and  dangers  he  himself  had  been 
exposed  for  that  purpose  ;  and  that  it  was  like  giving  up 
his  life,  now  to  surrender  the  patent  and  privileges,  so 
dearly  bought,  and  so  long  enjoyed. 

The  important  affair  was  debated  and  kept  in  suspense, 
until  the  evening,  when  the  charter  was  brought  and  laid 
upon  the  table,  where  the  assembly  was  sitting.  By  this 
time,  great  numbers  of  people  were  assembled,  and 
men  sufficiently  bold  to  enterprise  whatever  might  be  ne- 
cessary or  expedient.  The  lights  were  instantly  extin- 
guished, and  one  Captain  Wads  worth,  of  Hartford,  in  the 
most  silent  and  secret  manner,  carried  off  the  charter,  and 
secreted  it  in  a  large  hollow  tree,  fronting  the  house  of 
the  Hon.  Samuel  Wyllys,  then  one  of  the  magistrates  of 
the  colony.  The  people  appeared  all  peaceably  and  or- 
derly. The  candles  were  officiously  re-lighted ;  but  the 
patent  was  gone,  and  no  discovery  could  be  made  of  it, 
or  of  the  person  who  had  conveyed  it  away.  Sir  Ed- 
mund assumed  the  government,  and  the  records  of  the 
colony  were  closed  in  the  following  words  : 

"At  a  general  court  at  Hartford,  October  31st,  1687, 
his  excellency,  Sir  Edmund  Andross.  knight,  and  captain- 
general  and  governor  of  his  majesty's  territories  and  do- 
minions in  New-England,  by  order  from  his  majesty, 
James  the  Second,  Iving  of  England,  Scotland,  France, 
and  Ireland,  the  31st  of  October,  1687,  took  into  hia 
hands  the  government  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  il 
being,  by  his  majesty,  annexed  to  Massachusetts,  and 
other  colonies  under  his  excellency's  government." 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  87 

Sir  Edmund  appointed  officers,  civil  and  military, 
through  the  colony,  according  to  his  pleasure.  He  had  a 
council,  at  first,  consisting  of  about  forty  persons,  and  af- 
terwards, of  nearly  fifty.  Four  of  this  number,  governor 
Treat,  John  Fitz  Winthrop,  Wait  Winthrop,  and  John 
Allen,  Esquires,  were  of  Connecticut. 

Sir  Edmund  began  his  government  with  the  most  flat- 
tering professions  of  his  regard  to  the  public  safety,  and 
happiness.  He  instructed  the  judges  to  administer  justice 
as  far  as  might  be  consistent  with  the  new  regulations,  ac- 
cording to  the  former  laws  and  customs.  It  is,  however, 
well  observed  by  Governor  Hutchinson,  that  "  Nero  con- 
cealed his  tyrannical  disposition  more  years,  than  Sir  Ed- 
mund and  his  creatures  did  months."  He  soon  laid  a  re- 
straint upon  the  liberty  of  the  press,  and  then  one  far  more 
grievous  upon  marriage. 

This  was  prohibited,  unless  bonds  were  previously  gi- 
ven, with  sureties,  to  the  governor.  These  were  to  be 
forfeited,  in  case  it  should  afterwards  appear,  that  there 
was  any  lawful  impediment  to  the  marriage.  Magis- 
trate only  were  allowed  to  join  people  in  the  bands  of 
wedlock.  The  governor  not  only  deprived  the  clergy  of 
the  perquisite  from  marriages,  but  soon  suspended  the 
laws  for  their  support,  and  would  not  suffer  any  person 
to  be  obliged  to  pay  any  thing  to  his  minister.  Nay,  he 
menaced  the  people,  that,  if  they  resisted  his  will,  their 
meeting-houses  should  be  taken  from  them,  and  that  any 
person  who  should  give  two  pence  to  a  non-conformist 
minister,  should  be  punished. 

The  fees  of  all  officers,  under  this  new  administration, 
were  exorbitant.  The  common  fee  for  the  probate  of  a 
will  was  fifty  shillings.  The  widow  and  fatherless,  how 
distant  soever,  were  obliged  to  appear  at  Boston,  to  trans- 
act all  business  relative  to  the  settlement  of  estates.  This 
was  a  grievous  oppression  of  the  poor  people,  especially 
of  the  fatherless  and  widow. 

Sir  Edmund,  without  an  assembly,  nay,  without  a  ma- 
jority of  his  council,  taxed  the  people  at  pleasure.  He 
and  Randolph,  with  four  or  five  others  of  his  creatures, 
who  were  sufficiently  wicked  to  join  with  him,  in  all  his 
oppressive  designs,  managed  the  affairs  of  government 


88  %  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

as  they  pleased.  But  these  were  but  the  beginnings  of 
oppression  and  sorrow.  They  were  soon  greatly  in- 
creased, and  more  extensively  spread. 

In  1688,  Sir  Edmund  was  made  governor  of  New-York, 
as  well  as  of  New-England,  and  the  same  kind  of  govern- 
ment was  exercised  in  that  department.  As  the  charters 
were  now  either  vacated,  surrendered,  or  the  government 
under  them  suspended,  it  was  declared  that  the  titles  ot 
the  colonists  to  their  lands  were  of  no  value.  Sir  Edmund 
declared,  that  Indian  deeds  were  no  better  than  "  the 
scratch  of  a  bear's  paw."  Not  the  fairest  purchases,  and 
most  ample  conveyances  from  the  natives,  no  dangers, 
disbursements,  nor  labours,  in  cultivating  a  wilderness,  and 
turning  it  into  orchards,  gardens,  and  pleasant  fields,  no 
grants  by  charter,  nor  by  legislatures  constituted  by  them, 
no  declarations  of  preceding  kings,  nor  of  his  then  present 
majesty,  promising  them  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  their 
houses  and  lands,  nor  fifty  or  sixty  years  undisturbed  pos- 
session, were  pleas  of  any  validity  or  consideration  with 
Sir  Edmund  and  his  minions. 

The  purchasers  and  cultivators,  after  fifty  and  sixty 
years  improvement,  were  obliged  to  take  out  patents  for 
their  estates.  For  these,  in  some  instances,  a  fee  of  fifty 
pounds  was  demanded.  Writs  of  intrusion  were  issued 
against  persons  of  principal  character,  who  would  not 
submit  to  such  impositions,  and  their  lands  were  patented 
to  others.  Governor  Hutchinson  observes,  with  respect 
to  Massachusetts,  that  "  men's  titles  were  not  all  ques- 
tioned at  once.  Had  this  been  the  case,  according  to  the 
computation  then  made,  all  the  personal  estate  in  the  co- 
lony would  not  have  paid  the  charge  of  the  new  patents." 

The  governor,  and  a  small  number  of  his  council,  in  the 
most  arbitrary  manner,  fined  and  imprisoned  numbers  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts,  and  denied  them  the 
benefit  of  the  act  of  habeas  corpus.  All  town  meetings 
were  prohibited,  except  one  in  the  month  of  May,  for  the 
election  of  town  officers,  to  prevent  the  people  from  con- 
sulting measures  for  the  redress  of  their  grievances.  No 
person,  indeed,  was  suffered  to  go  out  of  the  country,  with- 
out leave  from  the  governor,  lest  complaints  should  be 
carried  to  England  against  his  administration.  At  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  *  89 

same  time,  he  so  well  knew  the  temper  and  views  of  his 
royal  master,  that  he  feared  little  from  him,  even  though 
complaints  should  be  carried  over  against  him.  Hence 
he  and  his  dependants  oppressed  the  people,  and  enriched 
themselves  without  restraint. 

The  most  humble  petitions  were  presented  to  his  ma- 
jesty, from  corporations  of  various  descriptions,  beseech- 
ing him  that  the  governor's  council  might  consist  of  none 
but  men  of  considerable  property  in  lands ;  that  no  act 
might  be  passed  to  bind  the  people,  but  by  a  majority  of 
the  council ;  and  that  he  would  quiet  his  good  subjects  in 
the  enjoyment  of  all  property  in  houses  and  lands.*  But 
in  the  reign  of  James  the  Second,  petitions  so  reasonable 
and  just  could  not  be  heard. 

The  prince  at  home,  and  his  officers  abroad,  like  greedy 
harpies,  preyed  upon  the  people  without  control.  Ran- 
dolph was  not  ashamed  to  make  his  boast,  in  his  letters, 
with  respect  to  Governor  Andross  and  his  council,  "  that 
they  were  as  arbitrary  as  the  great  Turk."  All  New- 
England  groaned  under  their  oppression.  The  heaviest 
share  of  it,  however,  fell  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  New-Plymouth.  Connecticut  had  been  less 
obnoxious  to  government  than  Massachusetts,  and  as  it 
was  further  removed  from  the  seat  of  government,  was 
less  under  the  notice  and  influence  of  those  oppressors. 

Governor  Treat  was  a  father  to  the  people,  and  felt  for 
them,  in  their  distressed  circumstances.  The  other  gen- 
tlemen, who  were  of  the  council,  and  had  the  principal 
management  of  affairs,  in  Connecticut,  were  men  of  prin- 
ciple, lovers  of  justice,  and  of  their  fellow  subjects.  They 
took  advantage  of  Sir  Edmund's  first  instructions,  and,  as 
far  as  they  possibly  could,  consistently  with  the  new  re- 
gulations, governed  the  colony  according  to  the  former 
laws  and  customs.  The  people  were  patient  and  peace- 
able, though  in  great  fear  and  despondency.  They  were 
no  strangers  to  what  was  transacted  in  the  neighbouring 

*  Sir  Edmund,  with  all  his  vigilance,  could  not  prevent  the  carrying- 
over  of  complaints  against  him.  Mr.  Increase  Mather  got  on  board  a 
ship,  and  sailed  to  England,  for  this  very  purpose,  and  delivered  the 
complaints,  which  he  carried  over,  into  his  majesty's  hands. 

8* 


90  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

colonies,  and  expected  soon  fully  to  share  with  them,  in 
all  their  miseries. 

It  was  generally  believed  that  Andross  was  a  papist ; 
that  he  had  employed  the  Indians  to  ravage  the  frontiers, 
and  had  supplied  them  with  ammunition  ;  and  that  he  was 
making  preparations  to  deliver  the  country  into  the  hands 
of  the  French.  All  the  motives  to  great  actions,  to  in- 
dustry, economy,  enterprise,  wealth,  and  population,  were 
in  a  manner  annihilated.  A  general  inactivity  and  lan- 
guishment  pervaded  the  whole  public  body.  Liberty, 
property,  and  every  thing  which  ought  to  be  dear  to  men, 
every  day  grew  more  and  more  insecure.  The  colonies 
were  in  a  state  of  general  despondency,  with  respect  to 
the  restoration  of  their  privileges,  and  the  truth  of  that 
divine  maxim,  "  when  the  wicked  beareth  rule,  the  peo- 
ple mourn,"  was,  in  a  striking  manner,  every  where  ex- 
emplified. 

In  1690,  war  was  declared  between  France  and  Eng- 
land. Count  Frontinac  was  appointed  governor  in  Cana- 
da. In  January,  he  despatched  several  parties  against 
the  English  settlements.  One  of  them  was  sent  against 
Albany,  but  resolved  to  attack  Schenectady.  The  inha- 
bitants of  this  village  got  information  of  their  danger,  but 
they  judged  it  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  march  several 
hundred  miles  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  disregarded  the 
intelligence.  No  regular  watch  was  kept,  nor  military 
order  observed. 

The  French  and  Indians  arrived  near  the  town  on  the 
8th  of  February.  On  Saturday  night,  at  eleven  o'clock, 
they  entered  the  gates,  which  they  found  open  :  universal 
silence  reigned.  In  a  few  moments,  all  the  houses  were 
in  flames.  Women  were  butchered,  and  children  thrown 
alive  into  the  flames  ;  sixty  persons  perished  in  the  flames; 
twenty -five  persons  made  prisoners  ;  while  the  rest  of  the 
inhabitants  fled  naked.  A  furious  storm  came  on.  Alba- 
ny, their  only  refuge,  was  at  a  distance.  A  part  arrived 
in  safety ;  twenty -five  lost  their  limbs  by  the  severity  of 
the  cold.  No  tongue  can  express  the  cruelties  which 
were  committed.  The  second  party  directed  their  course 
to  New-Hampshire,  burned  the  village  at  Salmon  Falls, 
killed  twenty-six  of  the  bravest  men,  and  took  fifty  pri- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  91 

soners.     The  third  party  destroyed  Casco,  in  Maine,  and 
killed  and  captured  ninety-five  people. 

To  avenge  these  barbarities,  and  others  perpetrated  in 
New-England,  a  combined  expedition  against  Canada  was 
proposed.  An  army  was  raised  in  New-York  and  Con- 
necticut, which  proceeded  as  far  as  the  head  of  Lake 
Cham  plain,  but  not  finding  boats  to  cross  the  lake,  were 
obliged  to  return.  Sir  William  Phipps,  with  a  fleet  of 
about  30  vessels,  sailed  from  Boston  into  the  St.  I  aw- 
rence,  and  landing  a  body  of  troops,  made  an  attack  by 
land  and  water  upon  Quebec ;  but  was  unsuccessful. 

This  year,  1691,  Colonel  Henry  Sloughter  succeeded 
Colonel  Leisler,  governor  of  New-York.  Leisler,  when 
informed  of  this  appointment,  ought  to  have  relinquished 
the  authority  he  had  exercised.  Although  twice  requi- 
red, he  refused  to  surrender  the  fort.  Sloughter  caused 
Leisler  and  Milborne  to  be  arrested  and  executed  for 
high  treason. 

In  July,  1691,  Peter  Schuyler,  at  the  head  of  three 
hundred  Mohawks,  made  a  sudden  and  bold  a-ttack  upon 
the  French  settlements  at  the  north  end  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain.  An  army  of  eight  hundred  men  was  despatched 
from  Montreal  to  oppose  him.  With  them  he  had  seve- 
ral singular,  but  successful  conflicts,  in  which  he  killed  a 
greater  number  of  the  enemy  than  his  whole  party. 

In  1692,  Colonel  Fletcher  succeeded  governor  Slough- 
ter, and  was  authorized  by  his  commission,  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  militia  of  Connecticut.  This  power  having 
been  given  by  the  charter  to  the  governor  of  the  colony 
of  New-England,  he  determined  not  to  relinquish  it,  and 
was  supported  by  the  people. 

On  the  26th  of  October,  Colonel  Fletcher  came  to  Hart- 
ford, while  the  assembly  was  sitting,  and  in  his  majesty's 
name,  demanded  their  submission  of  the  militia  to  his 
command,  as  they  would  answer  it  to  his  majesty ;  and 
that  they  would  give  him  a  speedy  answer  in  one  word, 
Yes  or  no.  He  subscribed  himself  his  majesty's  lieutenant, 
and  conimander-in-chief  of  the  militia,  and  of  all  the 
forces  by  sea  or  land,  and  of  all  the  forts  and  places  of 
strength,  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  He  ordered  the 


92  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

militia  of  Hartford  under  arms,  that  he  might  beat  up  foi 
volunteers. 

It  was  judged  expedient  to  call  the  trainbands  in  Hart- 
ford together ;  but  the  assembly  insisted,  that  the  com- 
mand of  the  militia  was  expressly  vested,  by  charter,  in 
the  governor  and  company;  and  that  they  could,  by  no 
means,  consistently  with  their  just  rights  and  the  com- 
mon safety,  resign  it  into  any  other  hands.  They  insinu- 
ated, that  his  demands  were  an  invasion  of  their  essential 
privileges,  and  subversive  of  their  constitution. 

Upon  this,  Colonel  Bayard,  by  his  excellency's  command, 
sent  a  letter  into  the  assembly,  declaring,  that  his  excel- 
lency had  no  design  upon  the  civil  rights  of  the  colony; 
but  would  leave  them,  in  all  respects,  as  he  found  them. 
In  the  name  of  his  excellency,  he  tendered  a  commission 
to  Governor  Treat,  empowering  him  to  command  the  mi- 
litia of  the  colony.  He  declared  that  his  excellency  in- 
sisted, that  they  should  acknowledge  it  an  essential  right, 
inherent  in  his  majesty,  to  command  the  militia ;  and 
that  he  was  determined  not  to  set  his  foot  out  of  the  co- 
lony, until  he  had  seen  his  majesty's  commission  obeyed  : 
That  he  would  issue  his  proclamation,  showing  the  means 
he  had  taken  to  give  ease  and  satisfaction  to  his  majes- 
ty's subjects  of  Connecticut,  and  that  he  would  distin- 
guish the  disloyal  from  the  rest. 

The  assembly,  nevertheless,  would  not  give  up  the 
command  of  the  militia,  nor  would  Governor  Treat  re- 
ceive a  commission  from  Colonel  Fletcher. 

The  trainbands  of  Hartford  assembled,  and,  as  the  tra- 
dition is,  while  Captain  Wadsworth,  the  senior  officer, 
was  walking  in  front  of  the  companies,  and  exercising 
the  soldiers,  Colonel  Fletcher  ordered  his  commission  and 
instructions  to  be  read.  Captain  Wadsworth  instantly 
commanded,  "  Beat  the  drums  ;"  and  there  was  such  a 
roaring  of  them  that  nothing  else  could  be  heard.  Colo- 
nel Fletcher  commanded  silence.  But  no  sooner  had 
Bayard  made  an  attempt  to  read  again,  than  Wadsworth 
commands,  "  Drum,  drum,  I  say."  The  drummers  un- 
derstood their  business,  and  instantly  beat  up  with  all  the 
art  and  life  of  which  they  were  masters.  "  Silence,  si- 
lence," says  the  colonel.  No  sooner  was  there  a  pause. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  93 

than  Wadsworth  speaks  with  great  earnestness,  "  Drum, 
drum,  I  say  ;"  and  turning  to  his  excellency,  said,  "  If  I 
am  interrupted  again,  I  will  make  the  sun  shine  through 
you  in  a  moment."  He  spoke  with  such  energy  in  his 
voice,  and  meaning  in  his  countenance,  that  no  further  at- 
tempts were  made  to  read  or  enlist  men.  Such  numbers 
of  people  collected  together,  and  their  spirits  appeared 
so  high,  that  the  governor  and  his  suite  judged  it  expedi- 
ent soon  to  leave  the  town,  and  return  to  New-York. 

No  pen  can  describe  the  cruelties  which  were  practised 
during  the  French  and  Indian  war.  Women,  soon  ex- 
pecting to  become  mothers,  were  ripped  up,  and  their  un- 
born offspring  dashed  against  a  stone  or  tree.  Infants, 
when  troublesome,  were  dispatched  in  the  same  manner. 
Some  of  the  captives  were  roasted  alive ;  others  received 
deep  wounds  in  the  flesh,  and  sticks  on  fire  thrust  into 
them,  and  were  thus  tormented  to  death. 

1694.  Upon  the  solicitations  of  Governor  Fletcher 
and  Sir  Willam  Phipps,  agents,  with  a  number  of  troops, 
were  sent  to  attend  a  treaty  with  the  Five  Nations.  The 
expense  of  it  was  about  four  hundred  pounds. 

December  10th,  1697,  closed  the  horrid  scene,  by  a 
treaty  of  peace  between  Great  Britain  and  France. 

The  winter  of  1696  was  unusually  severe.  Never  had 
the  country  sustained  such  losses  in  commerce,  nor  had 
provisions  ever  been  so  scarce,  or  borne  a  higher  price. 

The  surprise  of  Dover,  in  New-Hampshire,  was  attend- 
ed by  circumstances  of  the  most  shocking  barbarity. 
That  the  natives  had  been  cruelly  injured  by  Major  Wal- 
dron,  the  principal  citizen,  may  account  for  it,  if  not  ex- 
tenuate their  ferocity,  in  obtaining  revenge.  Having  de- 
termined upon  their  plan  of  attack,  they  employed  more 
than  their  usual  art  to  lull  the  suspicions  of  the  inhabi- 
tants. So  civil  and  respectful  was  their  behaviour,  that 
they  often  obtained  permission  to  sleep  in  the  fortified 
houses  in  the  town. 

On  the  fatal  evening  they  assembled  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, and  sent  their  women  to  apply  for  lodgings  at  the 
houses  devoted  to  destruction ;  they  were  not  only  admit- 
ted, but  were  shown  how  they  could  open  the  doors, 
should  they  have  occasion  to  go  out  in  the  night.  When 


94  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

all  was  quiet,  the  doors  were  opened,  and  a  signal  given. 
The  Indians  rushed  into  Mr.  Waldron's  house,  and  has- 
tened to  his  apartment.  Awakened  by  the  noise,  he 
seized  his  sword,  and  drove  them  back ;  but  when  return- 
ing for  his  other  arms,  he  was  stunned  with  a  hatchet,  and 
fell. 

They  then  dragged  him  into  the  hall,  seated  him  in 
n  elbow  chair,  upon  a  large  table,  and  insultingly  asked 
nim,  "  who  shall  judge  Indians  now  ?"  each  one,  with 
his  knife,  cut  gashes  across  his  breast,  saying,  "  I  cross 
out  my  account."  When  weakened  with  the  loss  of 
blood,  he  was  about  to  fall  from  the  table,  his  own  sword 
was  held  under  him,  which  put  an  end  to  his  misery. 

At  other  houses,  similar  acts  of  cruelty  were  perpe- 
trated. In  the  whole  town  twenty-three  persons  were 
killed,  twenty-nine  carried  prisoners  to  Canada,  and  sold 
to  the  French. 

The  details  of  individual  sufferings  that  occurred  during 
this  war,  were  they  faithfully  recorded,  would  excite  the 
sympathies  of  the  most  unfeeling  bosom.  One  instance 
only  will  serve  to  confirm  the  remark. 

In  an  attack,  by  a  body  of  Indians,  upon  Haverhill, 
New-Hampshire,  in  the  winter  of  1697,  the  concluding 
year  of  the  war,  a  party  of  the  assailants,  burning  with 
savage  animosity,  approached  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Dustan. 
Upon  the  first  alarm,  he  flew  from  a  neighbouring  field  to 
his  family,  with  the  hope  of  hurrying  them  to  a  place  of 
safety.  Seven  of  his  children  he  directed  to  flee,  while 
he  himself  went  to  assist  his  wife,  who  was  confined  in 
her  bed  with  an  infant  a  week  old  ;  but  before  she  could 
leave  the  bed  the  savages  arrived. 

In  despair  of  rendering  her  assistance,  Mr.  Dustan  flew 
to  the  door,  mounted  his  horse,  and  determined  in  his  own 
mind  to  snatch  up  the  child  which  he  loved  best.  He 
followed  in  pursuit  of  his  little  flock,  but,  on  coming  up 
with  them,  he  found  it  impossible  to  make  a  selection. 
He  determined,  therefore,  to  meet  his  fate  with  them ; 
to  defend  and  save  them  from  the  knife  of  the  pursuing 
savages,  or  die  by  their  side. 

A  body  of  the  Indians  soon  came  up  with  them,  and, 
from  short  distances,  commenced  a  fire  upon  him  and  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  95 

little  company.  For  more  than  a  mile  he  continued  to 
retreat,  placing  himself  between  the  fire  of  the  Indians  and 
his  children,  and  returned  their  shots  with  great  spirit 
and  success.  At  length  he  saw  them  all  safely  lodged 
from  their  bloody  pursuers,  in  a  distant  house. 

It  is  not  easy  to  find  a  nobler  instance  of  fortitude  and 
courage,  inspired  by  affection,  than  is  exhibited  in  this 
heroic  act.  Let  us  ever  cultivate  the  influence  of  those 
ties  of  kindred,  which  are  capable  of  giving  so  generous 
and  elevated  a  direction  to  our  actions. 

As  Mr.  Dustan  quitted  his  house,  a  party  of  Indians 
entered  it.  Mrs.  Dustan  was  in  bed,  but  they  ordered  her 
to  rise  instantly,  and,  before  she  could  finish  dressing, 
obliged  her,  and  the  nurse,  who  had  in  vain  attempted  to 
escape  with  the  infant,  to  quit  the  house,  which  they  plun- 
dered and  burnt. 

In  these  distressing  circumstances,  Mrs.  Dustan  began 
her  march,  with  other  captives,  in  the  wilderness.  The 
air  was  keen,  and  their  path  led  through  snow  and  deep 
mud,  and  their  savage  conductors  delighted  rather  in  then 
affliction,  than  in  alleviating  their  distress. 

The  company  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance,  when 
an  Indian,  thinking  the  infant  an  incumbrance,  took  it 
from  the  arms  of  the  nurse,  and  violently  terminated  its 
life.  Such  of  the  other  captives  as  became  weary  and  in- 
capable of  proceeding,  the  Indians  killed  with  their  toma- 
hawks. Feeble  as  Mrs.  Dustan  was,  both  she  and  ht  * 
nurse  sustained,  with  wonderful  energy,  the  fatigues  and 
misery  attending  a  journey  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

On  their  arriving  at  the  place  of  their  destination,  they 
found  the  wigwam  of  the  savage  who  claimed  them,  to  be 
inhabited  by  twelve  Indians.  In  the  ensuing  April,  this 
family  set  out,  with  their  captives,  for  an  Indian  settle- 
ment, still  more  remote.  The  captives  were  informed, 
that  on  their  arrival  at  the  settlement,  they  must  submit 
to  be  stripped,  scourged,  and  run  the  gauntlet  between 
two  files  of  Indians.  This  information  carried  distress  to 
the  minds  of  the  captive  women,  and  led  them  promptly 
to  devise  some  means  of  escape. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  31st  of  April,  Mrs.  Dustan 
awaking  her  nurse,  and  another  fellow  prisoner,  they  dis- 


96  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

patched  ten  of  the  twelve  Indians,  while  they  were 
asleep ;  the  other  two  escaped.  The  women  then  com- 
menced their  difficult  and  dangerous  journey  through  the 
wilderness,  and  at  length  arrived,  safe  at  Haverhill.  Sub- 
sequently they  visited  Boston,  and  received  from  the 
general  court  a  handsome  consideration  for  their  extraor- 
dinary sufferings  and  heroic  conduct. 

In  1698,  the  Earl  of  Bellamont  was  appointed  governor. 
He  was  particularly  instructed  to  clear  the  American 
seas  of  the  pirates  who  infested  them,  and  who,  it  was  sus- 
pected, had  even  received  encouragement  from  Governor 
Fletcher. 

The  government  declining  to  furnish  the  necessary  na- 
val force,  the  earl,  with  others,  engaged  in  a  private  un- 
dertaking against  them.  The  association  procured  a  ves- 
sel of  war ;  gave  the  command  of  it  to  a  Captain  Kidd, 
and  sent  him  to  cruise  against  the  pirates.  He  had  been 
but  a  short  time  at  sea,  when,  disregarding  his  instruc- 
tions, he  made  a  new  contract  with  his  crew,  and  on  the 
Atlantic  and  Indian  Ocean  became  himself  a  daring,  atro- 
cious, and  successful  pirate.  Three  years  afterwards,  he 
returned,  burned  his  vessel,  and  appeared  publicly  in  Bos- 
ton. He  was  apprehended  and  sent  to  England,  where 
he  was  tried,  and  executed. 

When  Governor  Bellamont  had  settled  the  affairs  of 
that  government,  he  returned  to  New-York,  where  he 
died  in  1701,  greatly  lamented. 

Scarcely  had  the  colonies  recovered  from  the  war 
which  ended  in  1697,  before  they  were  again  involved  in 
the  horrors  of  another  war  with  the  French,  Indians  and 
Spaniards,  which  continued  from  1702  to  March  31,  1713. 

In  February,  1704,  Deerfield,  in  Massachusetts,  was 
surprised  in  the  night.  About  40  persons  were  killed,  and 
150  made  prisoners,  among  whom  were,  Mr.  Williams, 
the  minister,  and  his  family.  They  came  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Williams,  forced  open  the  doors,  and  entered  the  room 
where  Mr. Williams  was  sleeping.  Awakened  by  the  noise, 
he  seized  his  pistol,  and  snapped  it  at  the  first  Indian,  but 
it  missed  fire,  the  house  was  then  plundered,  and  two  of 
his  children  and  the  black  female  servant,  were  butchered 
before  his  eyes  The  savages  at  length  suffered  his  wife 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  97 

and  himself,  with  five  children,  to  put  on  their  clothes, 
and  prepare  for  a  long  journey.  Every  house  but  the  one 
next  to  Mr.  Williams'  was  consumed. 

"  One  house  still  remains,  as  a  painful  memento  to  pos- 
terity. The  front  door  was  hacked  and  hewn  with  hatch- 
ets, until  the  savages  had  cut  a  hole  through  it ;  through 
this  hole,  they  fired  into  the  house ;  this  door,  which  still 
bears  its  ancient  wounds,  and  the  hole,  (closed  only  by  a 
board,  tacked  on  within,)  remains  now  as  the  savages  left 
it,  and  is  a  most  interesting  monument. 

"  Through  the  windows  they  also  fired,  and  one  bullet 
killed  the  female  head  of  the  family,  sitting  up  in  bed, 
and  the  mark  of  that  bullet,  as  well  as  of  four  others,  is 
visible  in  the  room  ;  in  one  of  the  holes  in  a  joist,  another 
bullet  remains  to  this  day.  This  family  were  all  killed  or 
carried  into  captivity." 

The  second  day,  Mrs.  Williams  began  to  fail,  and  could 
go  no  farther.  Her  husband  requested  permission  to  re- 
main with  her;  but  they  plunged  a  "hatchet  into  her  head, 
and  compelled  him  to  proceed.  Before  the  termination 
of  their  journey,  twenty  more  shared  the  same  fate. 
Those  who  reached  Canada,  were  treated  with  humanity 
by  the  French. 

At  the  end  of  two  years,  Mr.  Williams,  and  fifty-seven 
others,  were  redeemed,  and  he  returned  to  Deerfield, 
where  he  continued  his  labours  in  the  ministry  twelve 
years,  and  died.  His  eldest  daughter  was  married  to  an 
Indian  in  Canada,  where  she  lived  many  years.  She  came 
into  New-England  once  or  twice,  with  her  sannup  and 
children,  to  visit  her  friends,  and  at  her  death  left  a  nu- 
merous family. 

In  1707,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  New-Hamp- 
shire, despatched  an  armament  against  Port  Royal,  in 
Nova-Scotia,  which  was  in  possession  of  the  French. 
The  expedition  consisted  of  one  thousand  men ;  but  re- 
turned without  accomplishing  its  object. 

General  Nicholson  visited  England,  and  proposed  an 
expedition  against  Canada.  In  June,  1711,  Admiral  Wal- 
ker, with  a  fleet  of  fifteen  ships  of  war,  and  forty  trans- 
ports, arrived  at  Boston,  and  taking  on  board  two  addi- 
tional regiments,  he  sailed  from  Boston  the  last  of  July 
9 


98  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

At  the  same  time,  General  Nicholson  proceeded  from 
Albany,  at  the  head  of  four  thousand  men,  from  Connec- 
ticut, New- York,  and  New-Jersey,  against  Canada. 

The  fleet  had  advanced  about  ten  leagues  up  the  river 
St.  Lawrence,  when  the  river  became  foggy.  Different 
opinions  arose  concerning  what  course  to  take  ;  the  Eng- 
lish pilots  recommended  one  course,  the  Americans  an- 
other. The  admiral,  like  all  other  English  officers, 
adopted  the  advice  of  his  own  pilots  ;  and,  about  mid- 
night, nine  transports  were  driven  upon  the  rocks,  and 
dashed  to  pieces.  About  one  thousand  men  sunk  to  rise 
no  more. 

Not  a  single  American  was  lost.  The  admiral  returned 
to  England,  and,  on  the  15th  of  October,  his  ship  blew 
up,  and  four  hundred  seamen  perished.  The  New-Eng- 
land troops  returned  home,  and  when  Nicholson,  who  had 
advanced  as  far  as  Lake  George,  learned  the  fate  of  the 
fleet,  he  led  back  his  troops  to  Albany.  The  next  year, 
1713,  France  and  England  made  peace  at  Utrecht ;  this 
relieved  the  northern  part  of  the  country,  and  in  the  same 
year  peace  Avas  concluded  with  the  Indians. 

Such  was  the  destruction  of  lives  in  this  war,  that  the 
population  of  New-England  was  sensibly  decreasing. 
The  expenses  were  great,  which  obliged  them  to  issue 
bills  of  credit,  or  paper  money,  which  perplexed  the  go- 
vernment in  all  their  transactions. 

In  1716,  Samuel  Street,  a  colonel  in  the  army  of  the 
celebrated  Duke  of  Marlborough,  was  appointed  gover- 
nor. On  his  arrival  in  the  province,  he  found  the  people 
divided  into  parties  ;  one  in  favour  of  a  public  bank,  which 
had  just  been  established;  the  other  for  a  private  bank. 

He  joined  the  former;  the  latter  became  hostile,  and, 
led  by  a  Mr.  Cook,  opposed  with  virulence  all  his  mea- 
sures. 

In  1715,  after  several  years  of  profound  peace,  an  In- 
dian war  broke  out  in  South  Carolina.  All  the  tribes, 
from  Florida  to  Cape  Fear,  had  been  long  engaged  in  a 
conspiracy  against  the  whites.  On  the  morning  of  the 
15th  of  April,  the  first  blow  was  struck  at  the  settlements 
around  Port  Royal.  Ninety  persons  were  massacred. 
Some  of  the  inhabitants  escaped  by  embarking  on  board 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  99 

a  vessel  which  then  lay  in  the  harbour,  and  sailed  directly 
for  Charleston.  At  a  plantation  on  Goose  Creek,  seventy 
whites,  and  forty  faithful  negroes,  being  protected  by  a 
breast-work,  determined  to  maintain  their  post;  but  on 
the  first  attack,  their  courage  failed  them,  and  they  agreed 
to  surrender.  The  instant  they  fell  into  the  power  of  the 
enemy,  all  were  barbarously  murdered. 

Governor  Craven,  from  North  Carolina,  at  the  head  of 
one  thousand  men,  marched  against  the  savages.  He  dis- 
covered several  small  parties,  who  fled  before  him.  At 
Saltcatchers,  he  found  them  all  assembled,  and  there  an 
obstinate  and  bloody  battle  was  fought.  The  whites  were 
victorfous,  and  compelled  the  enemy  to  leave  the  province. 
Most  of  them  fled  to  Florida,  and  were  kindly  received 
by  the  Spaniards. 

In  1719,  at  a  general  review  of  the  militia  at  Charles- 
ton, occasioned  by  a  threatening  invasion  of  the  colony 
from  Florida,  the  officers  and  soldiers  bound  themselves 
by  a  solemn  compact,  to  support  each  other  in  resisting 
the  tyranny  of  the  proprietors ;  and  the  assembly,  which 
was  then  in  session,  requested  the  governor,  by  a  respect- 
ful address,  to  consent  to  administer  the  government  in 
the  king's  name.  He  refused,  and  by  proclamation  dis- 
solved the  assembly.  The  members  immediately  met, 
and  elected  Colonel  James  Moore  their  governor.  He 
was  a  bold  man,  and  exceedingly  well  qualified  for  a  po- 
pular leader,  in  a  turbulent  season.  He  accepted  the  ap- 
pointment, and  administered  the  affairs  of  the  colony. 

The  conduct  oFthe  proprietors,  and  people,  was  brought 
before  his  majesty's  council.  After  a  full  hearing,  it  was 
decided,  that  both  colonies  should  be  taken  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  crown.  In  1719,  Hunter,  Governor  of  New- 
York,  quitted  the  province,  and  his  authority  devolved  on 
Peter  Schuyler.  The  next  year,  William  Burnet,  son  of 
the  celebrated  bishop,  was  appointed  governor.  Turning 
his  attention  towards  the  wilderness,  he  perceived  that 
the  French,  in  order  to  secure  themselves  the  Indian  trade, 
and  confine  the  English  to  the  sea  coast,  were  erecting 
forts,  from  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississippi.  He  endea- 
voured to  defeat  these  designs,  by  building  a  trading  house 
and  fort  at  Oswego,  on  Lake  Ontario.  But  the  French 


100  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

applied  with  great  activity  in  accomplishing  their  object; 
they  launched  two  vessels  upon  the  lake,  and  erected  a 
fort  at  Niagara ;  they  had  previously  erected  Fort  Fronti- 
nac,  commanding  the  outlet. 

The  peace  of  1713,  was  of  short  duration.  In  1722, 
the  eastern  Indians  began  to  be  hostile,  murdering  seve- 
ral persons,  and  burning  the  town  of  Brunswick.  In  1723, 
Dover  was  surprised,  and  several  persons  killed,  and  a 
number  carried  into  captivity ;  and  in  1724,  repeated  at- 
tacks were  made,  and  the  English  kept  in  a  continual 
alarm.  Numbers  were  killed.  The  English  in  their  turn 
made  an  attack  upon  Norridgeway ;  killed  Railed,  the  Je- 
suit, and  about  eighty-seven  Indians.  The  war  now  raged 
with  violence,  until  1726,  when  peace  was  restored.  This 
treaty  was  greatly  applauded,  and  under  it,  owing  to  the 
more  pacific  feelings  of  the  Indians,  and  more  faithful  ob- 
jervance  of  the  English,  the  colonies  experienced  unu- 
sual tranquillity  for  a  long  time. 

* 

The  Settlement  of  Georgia,  in  June,  1732. 

Several  benevolent  gentlemen  in  England,  suggested  a 
plan  of  conveying  all  the  indigent  subjects  of  Great  Bri- 
tain thither.  To  a  project  springing  from  motives  so  no- 
ble, the  people  and  the  government  extended  their  pa- 
tronage. In  November,  1732,  one  hundred  emigrants 
embarked  for  Georgia.  The  next  year,  five  hundred  per- 
sons arrived  at  that  place.  But  it  was  soon  discovered, 
that  these  people  had  become  poor  by  their  idleness,  and 
were  not  fitted  to  fill  the  groves  of  Georgia. 

The  trustees  therefore  offered  to  receive  such  as  had 
become  poor  by  unavoidable  misfortune,  and  grant  to  each 
one  who  should  repair  to  the  colony,  fifty  acres  of  land. 
This  offer  brought  more  than  four  hundred  persons  into 
Georgia. 

In  1738,  a  disturbance  was  created  among  the  negroes 
in  South  Carolina.  A  number  of  them  assembled  at 
Stono,  surprised  and  killed  two  white  men  who  had  the 
charge  of  a  ware-house,  from  which  they  took  guns  and 
ammunition.  They  then  chose  a  captain,  and  with  drums 
proceeded  southward,  burning  every  house,  and  killing 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  1*01 

all  the  whites  that  fell  in  their  way,  and  compelled  all  the 
negroes  to  join  them.  Governor  Bull,  who  was  returning 
from  the  southward,  accidently  met  them,  hastened  out  of 
the  way,  and  spread  the  alarm. 

The  news  soon  reached  "Wiltown,  where  a  large  con- 
gregation were  attending  divine  service.  The  men,  ac- 
cording to  the  law,  brought  their  arms  to  the  place  of 
worship,  and  marched  directly  in  quest  of  the  negroes. 
While  in  an  open  field,  they  were  dancing  with  frantic 
exultation  at  their  late  success,  they  were  suddenly  at- 
tacked by  the  whites ;  a  number  were  killed,  some  fled, 
and  the  remainder  taken.  They  who  had  been  compel- 
led to  join  them  were  pardoned  ;  but  all  the  leaders  suf- 
fered death.  About  twenty  whites  were  murdered. 

In  1744,  war  again  broke  out  between  England  and 
France,  and  the  colonies  were  involved.  Their  com- 
merce and  fisheries  suffered  great  injury  from  privateers 
fitted  out  at  Louisburg,  a  French  port  on  Cape  Breton. 
Its  situation  was  important.  Nearly  six  millions  of  dol- 
lars had  been  expended  on  its  fortification.  It  was  of 
great  importance  that  the  colonies  should  destroy  or  take 
possession  of  this  strong  hold,  although  it  was  consider- 
ed impossible.  Having  exacted  of  the  general  court  an 
oath  of  secrecy,  the  governor,  in  January,  1745,  commu- 
nicated to  them  the  project.  Many  heard  it  with  amaze- 
ment. 

So  srtrcng  was  the  place,  and  so  weak  were  the  colo- 
nies, that  the  thoughts  of  attacking  it  seemed  rash  and 
presumptuous.  The  secret  was  disclosed  by  an  honest 
member,  who  prayed  for  divine  blessing  on  the  attempt, 
if  it  should  be  made.  The  people  were  instantly  struck 
with  the  advantage  of  possessing  the  place.  When  the 
decision  was  made  known,  a  petition,  signed  by  a  large 
number  of  merchants,  was  presented  to  the  general  court, 
praying  them  to  comply  with  the  governor's  proposals. 
The  subject  was  again  discussed,  and  the  vote  in  favour 
of  the  expedition  was  only  one  majority. 

The  question  was  now  decided,  and  all  who  were  be- 
fore averse  to  the  enterprise,  united  heartily  with  the  sup- 
porters, to  carry  it  into  execution.  The  other  New- 
England  colonies  agreed  to  furnish  assistance,  and  a  boat 
9* 


102  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

was  despatched  to  Commodore  Warren,  in  the  West  In- 
dies, to  invite  him  to  their  assistance.  In  two  months, 
an  army  of  more  than  four  thousand  men  were  enlisted, 
clothed,  victualled,  and  equipped  for  service,  in  the  four 
New-England  colonies,  which  did  not  contain  four  hun- 
dred thousand  inhabitants. 

On  the  23d  of  March,  the  despatch  boat  returned  from 
the  West  Indies,  with  information  that  Commodore  War- 
ren declined  furnishing  any  aid,  without  orders  from  Eng- 
land. This  intelligence  was  kept  a  secret.  About  the 
19th  of  April,  the  troops,  together  with  those  from  Con- 
necticut and  New-Hampshire,  arrived  safely  at  Canso. 
Commodore  Warren  had  but  just  despatched  his  answer, 
when  he  received  orders  to  repair  to  Boston,  with  such 
ships  as  he  could  spare,  and  concert  measures  with  Go- 
vernor Shirley,  for  his  majesty's  service  in  North  Ameri- 
ca. He  sailed  immediately,  but  learning  that  the  trans- 
ports had  sailed  for  Canso,  he  steered  directly  for  that 
place.  He  added  much  to  the  naval  strength. 

Several  vessels  of  war,  which  had  been  sent  to  cruise 
before  Louisburg,  had  captured  several  French  ships,  and 
prevented  any  intelligence  of  the  expedition  from  reach- 
ing them.  Those  vessels  were  daily  within  sight  of  the 
place,  bu-t  were  supposed  to  be  privateers,  and  caused  no 
alarm.  The  appearance  of  the  fleet  on  the  30th  of  April, 
gave  the  French  the  first  intimation  of  their  danger.  The 
troops  immediately  landed,  and  the  next  day,  four  hun- 
dred marched  around  the  hills,  approached  within  a  mile 
of  the  grand  battery,  setting  fire  to  all  the  houses  and 
stores  on  the  way.  Many  of  these  contained  tar  and 
pitch,  which  produced  a  thick  smoke,  that  completely  en- 
veloped the  invaders.  The  fears  of  the  French  were  in- 
creased by  their  uncertainty.  They  imagined  all  the  ar- 
my was  coming  upon  them,  and  throwing  their  powder 
into  a  well,  destroyed  the  battery,  which  the  English  took 
without  loss. 

This  was  uncommon  good  fortune ;  but  the  most  diffi- 
cult labour  of  the  siege  remained  to  be  performed.  The 
cannon  were  to  be  drawn  nearly  two  miles,  over  a  deep 
morass,  in  plain  view,  and  within  gunshot  of  the  enemy's 
principal  fortification.  For  fourteen  nights,  the  Droops, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  103 

with  straps  over  their  shoulders,  and  sinking  to  their 
knees  in  mud,  were  employed  in  the  service.  By  the 
20th  of  May,  they  had  erected  five  batteries,  one  of 
which  mounted  five  forty-two  pounders,  and  did  great 
execution. 

Meanwhile,  the  fleet  cruised  in  the  harbour,  and  was 
equally  successful.  It  captured  a  French  ship  of  sixty- 
four  guns,  loaded  with  stores  for  the  garrison,  to  whom 
the  loss  was  distressing.  English  ships  of  war  were 
continually  arriving,  and  added  such  strength  to  the  fleet, 
that  a  combined  attack  upon  the  town  was  resolved  upon. 
The  enemy,  discovering  this  design,  deemed  it  unwise  to 
run  the  hazard  of  an  assault.  On  the  15th  of  June,  the 
French  commander  proposed  a  cessation  of  hostilities, 
and  on  the  17th  capitulated. 

Intelligence  of  this  event  spread  like  lightning  through 
the  country.  The  French  flag  was  still  standing  upon  the 
walls  of  Louisburg,  which  decoyed  several  India  ships, 
supposed  to  be  worth  six  hundred  thousand  pounds. 
Well  might  the  citizens  of  New-England  be  elated  with 
these  glad  tidings.  Without  even  a  suggestion  from  the 
mother  country,  their  commerce  and  fisheries  were  now 
secure. 

France,  fired  with  resentment  at  her  loss,  made  extra- 
ordinary exertions  to  retrieve  it,  and  to  inflict  chastise- 
ment on  New-England.  The  next  summer,  she  des- 
patched to  the  American  coast  a  powerful  fleet,  carrying 
a  large  number  of  soldiers.  The  news  of  its  approach 
spread  terror  throughout  New-England.  But  an  uncom- 
mon succession  of  disasters,  which  the  pious  of  that  time 
attributed  to  the  special  interposition  of  Providence,  de- 
prived it  of  all  power  to  inflict  injury.  After  remaining 
a  short  time  on  the  coast,  it  returned  to  France  ;  having 
lost  two  admirals,  both  of  whom,  it  was  supposed,  put  an 
end  to  their  lives  through  chagrin  ;  having  also,  by  tem- 
pest, been  reduced  to  one  half  its  force,  and  effected  no- 
thing. 

In  1748,  peace  was  concluded;  each  party  restored  all 
its  prisoners  and  conquests;  a  striking,  but  not  uncom- 
mon illustration  of  the  folly  of  war.  Louisburg,  though 
conquered  by  the  colonies,  was  exchanged  by  Great  Bri- 


104  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

tain  for  territories  which  she  had  lost  in  Europe.     New 
England  murmured  at  this  injustice,  but  what  avail  the 
murmurs  of  the  weak  ? 

In  1750,  an  act  was  passed,  prohibiting  the  exportation 
of  hats  out  of  the  plantations  of  America,  and  to  restrain 
the  number  of  apprentices  taken  by  hat  makers ;  also, 
an  act  providing  a  penalty  of  one  hundred  pounds  for 
the  erection  of  any  mill  for  slitting  or  rolling  of  iron,  or 
any  plating  forge  to  work  with  a  tilt  hammer. 


CHAPTER  V. 

French  and  Indian  War,  which  commenced  in  1756,  and 
continued  to  1763. 

The  war  which  ended  in  1748,  for  a  short  period,  gave 
peace  to  America,  and  the  population  in  the  thirteen  co- 
lonies, amounted  to  one  million  and  one  hundred  thou- 
sand. Scarcely  had  the  colonies  time  to  reap  the  benefits 
of  peace,  before  their  prospect  was  clouded,  and  the  sound 
of  war  filled  the  land  with  general  anxiety  and  distress. 
In  1756,  the  18th  of  May,  Great  Britain  declared  war 
against  France. 

The  general  cause  leading  to  this  war,  commonly  call- 
ed the  French  and  Indian  war,  was  the  encroachment  of 
the  French  upon  Nova-Scotia,  which  had  been  ceded  to 
Great  Britain  by  the  12th  article  of  the  treaty  of  Utrecht. 
About  this  time,  a  company  of  English  traders  established 
trading  houses  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio. 

The  French  seized  some  of  the  traders,  and  conveyed 
them  prisoners  to  Canada.  A  tribe  of  Indians  in  Ohio, 
among  whom  the  English  had  been  trading,  resented  the 
seizure,  and  by  way  of  retaliation,  took  several  French 
traders,  and  sent  them  to  Pennsylvania.  The  Ohio  com- 
pany complained  to  Dinwiddie,  governor  of  Virginia,  who 
laid  the  subject  before  the  assembly,  which  ordered  a 
messenger  to  be  despatched  to  the  French  commander  in 
Ohio,  and  require  him  to  withdraw  his  troops. 

Our  beloved  Washington  happening  to  hear  of  it,  in- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  105 

stantly  waited  on  his  excellency,  and  offered  his  services, 
but  not  without  being  terribly  afraid  lest  his  want  of  a 
beard  should  go  against  him.  However,  the  governor 
was  so  charmed  with  his  modesty  and  manly  air,  that  he 
never  asked  him  a  syllable  about  his  age,  but  after  thanking 
him  for  "  a  noble  youtli"  and  insisting  on  his  taking  a 
glass  of  wine  with  him,  slipped  a  commission  into  his 
hand.  The  next  day,  accompanied  by  an  interpreter 
and  a  couple  of  servants,  he  set  out  on  his  expedition, 
which  was,  from  start  to  pole,  as  disagreeable  and  danger- 
ous as  any  thing  Hercules  himself  could  have  wished. 
Soaking  rains,  chilling  blasts,  roaring  floods,  pathless 
woods,  and  mountains  clad  in  snows,  opposed  his  course, 
but  opposed  in  vain.  The  glorious  ambition  to  serve  his 
country  imparted  an  animation  to  his  nerves,  which  ren- 
dered him  superior  to  all  difficulties. 

Returning  homewards,  he  was  waylaid  and  shot  at  by 
a  French  Indian,  and  though  the  copper  coloured  ruffian 
was  not  15  steps  distant  when  he  fired  at  him,  yet  not 
even  so  much  as  the  smell  of  lead  passed  on  the  clothes 
of  our  young  hero.  On  his  return  to  Virginia,  it  was 
found  that  he  l\ad  executed  his  negotiations,  both  with 
the  French  and  Indians,  with  such  fidelity  and  judgment, 
that  he  received  the  heartiest  thanks  of  the  governor  and 
council  for  the  very  important  services  he  had  done  his 
country. 

He  was  now  (in  the  20th  year  of  his  age)  appointed 
major  and  adjutant-general  of  the  Virginia  forces.  Soon 
after  this,  the  Indians  continuing  the  encroachments,  or- 
ders Avere  given  by  the  English  government,  for  the  colo- 
nies to  arm  and  unite  in  one  confederacy.  Virginia  took 
the  lead,  and  raised  a  regiment  of  four  hundred  men,  at 
the  head  of  which  she  placed  her  darling  Washington. 

With  this  handful  of  brave  fellows,  Col.  Washington, 
not  yet  23  years  of  age,  boldly  pushed  out  into  the  Indian 
country,  and  there  for  a  considerable  time,  Hannibal-like, 
maintained  the  war  against  three  times  the  number  of 
French  and  Indians.  At  the  Red-Stones  he  came  up  with 
a  strong  party  of  the  enemy,  whom  he  engaged  and  effec- 
tually defeated,  after  having  killed  and  taken  thirty-one 
men.  From  his  prisoners  he  obtained  undoubted  intelli- 


106  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

gence,  that  the  French  forces  on  the  Ohio  consisted  of 
upwards  of  a  thousand  regulars,  and  many  hundreds  of 
Indians. 

But  notwithstanding  this  disheartening  advice,  he  still 
pressed  on  undauntedly  against  the  enemy,  and  at  a  place 
called  Little  Meadows,  built  a  fort,  which  he  called  Fort 
Necessity.  Here  he  waited,  hourly  and  anxiously  look- 
ing for  succours  from  New- York  and  Pennsylvania ;  but 
he  looked  in  vain — nobody  came  to  his  assistance.  Not 
long  after  this  his  small  force,  now  reduced  to  three  hun- 
dred men,  were  attacked  by  an  army  of  1100  French  and 
Indians.  Never  did  the  true  Virginian  valour  shine  more 
gloriously  than  on  this  trying  occasion. 

To  see  three  hundred  young  fellows — commanded  by 
a  smooth-faced  boy — all  unaccustomed  to  the  terrors  of 
war — far  from  home,  and  from  all  hopes  of  help — shut 
up  in  a  dreary  wilderness,  and  surrounded  by  four  times 
their  number  of  savage  foes,  and  yet,  without  sign  of  fear, 
without  thought  of  surrender,  preparing  for  mortal  com- 
bat. Oh  !  it  was  a  noble  sight ! — Scarcely  since  the  days 
of  Leonidas,  and  his  three  hundred  deathless  Spartans, 
had  the  sun  beheld  its  equal.  With  hideous  whoops  and 
yells  the  enemy  came  on  like  a  host  of  tigers.  The 
woods,  and  rocks,  and  tall  tree  tops,  (as  the  Indians,  climb- 
ing to  the  tops  of  the  trees,  poured  down  their  bullets  into 
the  fort,)  were  in  one  continued  blaze  and  crash  of  fire- 
arms. 

Nor  were  our  young  warriors  idle,  but,  animated  by 
their  gallant  chief,  plied  their  rifles  with  such  spirit,  that 
their  little  fort  resembled  a  volcano  in  full  blast,  roaring 
and  discharging  thick  sheets  of  liquid  fire,  and  of  leaden 
deaths  among  their  foes.  For  three  glorious  hours,  Sala- 
mander like,  enveloped  in  smoke  and  flame,  they  sustained 
the  attack  of  the  enemy's  whole  force,  and  laid  two  hun- 
dred of  them  dead  on  the  spot.  Discouraged  by  such 
desperate  resistance,  the  French  general,  the  Count  de 
Villiers,  sent  in  a  flag  to  Washington,  extolling  his  gallan- 
try to  the  skies,  and  offering  him  the  most  honourable 
terms.  It  was  stipulated  that  Col.  Washington,  and  his 
little  band  of  heroes,  should  march  away  with  all  the  ho- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  107 

nours  of  war,  and  carry  with  them  their  military  stores 
and  baggage. 

The  conduct  of  the  French  against  the  Ohio  company, 
soon  reached  England.  The  English  were  convinced, 
that  their  claims  to  the  country  through  which  that  river 
flows  must  be  relinquished,  or  maintained  by  the  sword. 
They  soon  chose  the  latter,  and  early  in  the  spring  of 
1755,  they  despatched  General  Braddock  with  a  respecta- 
ble force  to  America,  to  expel  the  French,  and  keep  pos- 
session of  the  territory. 

In  April,  Braddock  met  the  governors  of  several  pro 
vinces  to  confer  upon  the  plan  of  the  ensuing  campaign. 
Three  expeditions  were  resolved  upon ;  one  against  Du 
Quesne,  to  be  commanded  by  General  Braddock;  one 
against  forts  Niagara  and  Frontinac,  to  be  commanded  by 
Governor  Shirley,  and  one  against  Crown  Point,  by  Ge- 
neral Johnson.  This  last  expedition  was  to  be  executed 
by  troops  raised  in  New-England  and  New- York. 

In  the  spring  of  1755,  Washington,  while  busied  in  the 
highest  military  operations,  was  summoned  to  attend 
Gen  Braddock,  who,  in  the  month  of  February,  arrived 
at  Alexandria  with  two  thousand  British  troops.  The 
assembly  of  Virginia  appointed  eight  hundred  provincials 
to  join  him.  The  object  of  this  army  was  to  march 
through  the  country  by  the  way  of  Will's  Creek,  to  Fort 
Du  Quesne,  (now  Pittsburgh,  or  Fort  Pitt.)  As  no  person 
was  so  well  acquainted  with  the  frontier  country  as  Wash- 
ington, and  none  stood  so  high  in  military  fame,  it  was 
thought  he  would  be  infinitely  serviceable  to  General 
Braddock. 

At  the  request  of  the  governor  and  council,  he  cheer- 
fully quitted  his  own  command,  to  act  as  volunteer  aid-de- 
camp to  that  very  imprudent  and  unfortunate  general. 
The  army,  nearly  three  thousand  strong,  marched  from 
Alexandria,  and  proceeded  unmolested  within  a  few  miles 
of  Fort  Pitt.  On  the  morning  of  the  day  in  which  they 
expected  to  arrive,  the  provincial  scouts  discovered  a 
large  party  of  French  and  Indians  lying  in  ambush. 
Washington,  with  his  usual  modesty,  observed  to  Gen. 
Braddock  what  sort  of  enemy  he  had  now  to  deal  with. 
An  enemy  who  would  not,  like  the  Europeans,  come  for  • 


108  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ward  to  a  fair  contest  in  the  field,  but,  concealed  behind 
rocks  and  trees,  carry  on  a  deadly  warfare  with  their  rifles. 
He  concluded  with  begging  that  Gen.  Braddock  would 
grant  him  the  honour  to  let  him  place  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  Virginia  riflemen,  and  fight  them  in  their  own  way. 
And  it  was  generally  thought  that  our  young  hero,  and  his 
eight  hundred  hearts  of  hickory,  would  very  easily  have 
beaten  them  too,  for  they  were  not  superior  to  the  force, 
which  (with  only  three  hundred)  he  had  handled  so  roughly 
a  twelve  month  before. 

But  Gen.  Braddock,  who  had  all  along  treated  the  Ame- 
rican officers  and  soldiers  with  infinite  contempt,  instead 
of  following  this  truly  salutary  advice,  swelled  and  red- 
dened with  most  unmanly  rage.  "  High  times,  by  G— d," 
he  exclaimed,  strutting  to  and  fro,  with  arms  a-kimbo, 
"  High  times !  when  a  young  buckskin  can  teach  a  British 
general  how  to  fight!"  Washington  withdrew,  biting 
his  lips  with  grief  and  indignation,  to  think  what  numbers 
of  brave  fellows  would  draw  short  breath  that  day, 
through  the  pride  and  obstinacy  of  one  epauletted  fool. 
The  troops  were  ordered  to  form,  and  advance  in  columns, 
through  the  woods !  ! — In  a  little  time,  the  ruin  which 
Washington  had  predicted  ensued.  This  poor  devoted 
army,  pushed  on  by  their  mad-cap  general,  fell  into  the 
fatal  snare  which  was  laid  for  them.  All  at  once  a  thou- 
sand rifles  began  the  work  of  death.  The  ground  wa» 
instantly  covered  with  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

The  British  troops,  thus  slaughtered  by  hundreds,  and 
by  an  enemy  whom  they  could  not  see,  were  thrown  irre- 
coverably into  panic  and  confusion,  and,  in  a  few  minutes, 
their  haughty  general,  with  1200  of  his  brave  but  unfor- 
tunate countrymen,  -bit  the  ground.  Poor  Braddock 
closed  the  tragedy  wffh  great  decency.  He  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  beginning  of  the  action,  and  Washington 
had  him  placed  in  a  carl  ready  for  retreat.  Close  on  the 
left,  where  the  weight  or  the  French  and  Indian  fire  prin- 
cipally fell,  Washington,  and  his  Virginia  riflemen,  dress- 
ed in  blue,  sustaineu  the  shock.  At  every  discharge  of 
their  rifles,  the  wounded  general  cried  out,  "  O  my  brave 
Virginia  blues !  Would  to  God  I  could  live  to  reward 
yor  "or  such  gallantry."  But  he  died.  Washington 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  109 

buried  him  in  the  road,  and,  to  save  him  from  discovery, 
and  the  scalping  knife,  ordered  the  wagons,  on  their  re- 
treat, to  drive  over  his  grave  ! — O,  God  !  what  is  man  ? 
Even  a  thing  of  nought ! 

Amidst  all  this  fearful  consternation  and  carnage, 
amidst  all  the  uproars  and  horrors  of  a  rout,  rendered 
still  more  dreadful  by  the  groans  of  the  dying,-*  the 
screams  of  the  wounded,  the  piercing  shrieks  of  the 
women,  and  the  yells  of  the  furious  assaulting  savages, 
Washington,  calm  and  self-collected,  rallied  his  faithful 
riflemen,  led  them  on  to  the  charge,  killed  numbers  of 
the  enemy  who  were  rushing  on  with  tomahawks,  check- 
ed their  pursuit,  and  brought  off  the  shattered  remains  of 
the  British  army. 

With  respect  to  our  beloved  Washington,  we  cannot 
but  mention  here  two  very  extraordinary  speeches  that 
were  uttered  about  him  at  this  time,  and  which,  as  things 
have  turned  out,  look  a  good  deal  like  prophecies.  A 
famous  Indian  warrior,  who  assisted  in  the  defeat  of  Brad- 
dock,  was  often  heard  to  swear,  that  Washington  was  not 
born  to  be  killed  by  a  bullet ;  "  for,"  continued  he,  "  I 
had  seventeen  fair  fires  at  him  with  my  rifle,  and,  after  all, 
I  could  not  bring  him  to  the  ground."  And,  indeed,  who- 
ever considers  that  a  good  rifle,  levelled  by  a  proper 
marksman,  hardly  ever  misses  its  aim,  will  readily  enough 
conclude,  with  this  unlettered  savage,  that  some  invisible 
hand  must  have  turned  aside  his  bullets. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Davies,  in  a  sermon  occasioned  by  Gen. 
Braddock's  defeat,  has  these  remarkable  works — "  I  beg 
leave  to  point  the  attention  of  the  public  to  that  heroic 
youth,  Colonel  George  Washington,  whom  I  cannot  but 
hope  providence  has  preserved  for  some  great  service  to 
this  country." 

Governor  Shirley  proceeded  to  Oswego,  on  Lake  On- 
tario. His  army  was  poorly  supplied  with  provisions,  and 
the  rainy  season  approaching,  he  abandoned  the  expedi- 
tion, and  returned  to  Albany.  The  army  under  Gen. 
Johnson  arrived  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  George,  the 
latter  part  of  August,  when  he  received  information  that 
iwo  thousand  of  the  enemy,  commanded  by  Barou  Dies- 

TO 


110  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

kau,  were  marching  against  Fort  Edward.  Accordingly, 
Colonel  Williams  was  detached  to  intercept  him. 

Colonel  Williams'  party,  which  left  the  camp  between 
eight  and  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Sept.  8th,  1755, 
very  unexpectedly  fell  in  with  the  army  of  Baron  Dieskau  ; 
the  two  armies  met  in  the  road,  front  to  front ;  the  Indians 
of  Dieskau's  army  were  in  ambuscade,  upon  both  declivi- 
ties of  the  mountains,  and  thus  it  was  a  complete  surprise, 
for  Col.  Williams  had  unhappily  neglected  to  place  any 
scouts  upon  his  wings.  A  bloody  battle  ensued,  and  a 
deadly  fire  was  poured  in  upon  both  flanks. 

Col.  Williams,  endeavouring  to  lead  his  men  against 
the  unseen  enemy,  was  instantly  shot  through  the  head, 
and  he  and  hundreds  of  his  party,  including  old  Hendrick, 
the  chief  of  the  Mohawks,  and  forty  Indians,  were  slain. 
The  remainder  of  the  party,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Whiting,  retreated  into  the  camp.  They  came  running 
in,  in  the  utmost  confusion  and  consternation,  and  pet- 
haps  owed  their  safety,  in  a  great  measure,  to  another 
party,  which,  when  the  firing  was  heard,  and  perceived 
to  be  growing  louder  and  nearer,  was  sent  out  to  succour 
them. 

Nor  did  this  battle  terminate  the  fighting  of  this  bloody 
day.  The  remains  of  Dieskau's  army  retreated  about 
four  miles,  to  the  ground  where  Colonel  Williams  had 
been  defeated  in  the  morning — the  rear  of  the  army  were 
there  sitting  upon  the  ground,  had  opened  their  knapsacks, 
and  were  refreshing  themselves,  when  Captain  M'Ginnies, 
who  with  two  hundred  men,  had  been  despatched  from 
Fort  Edward  to  succour  the  main  body,  came  up  with  this 
portion  of  the  French  army,  thus  sitting  in  security,  and 
attacked  and  totally  defeated  them,  although  he  was  him- 
self mortally  wounded.  Thus  were  three  battles  fought 
in  one  day,  and  almost  upon  the  same  ground. 

The  neighbouring  mountain,  in  which  the  French  so 
suddenly  made  their  appearance,  is  to  this  day,  called 
French  mountain ;  and  this  name,  with  the  tradition  of 
the  fact,  will  be  sent  down  to  the  latest  posterity.  I  was 
shown  a  rock  by  the  road,  at  which  a  considerable  slaugh- 
Utr  look  place.  It  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  near 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  Ill 

where  Colonel  Williams  fell,  and  I  am  informed,  is  to  this 
day,  called  Williams'  Rock. 

Just  by  the  present  road,  and  in  the  midst  of  these  bat- 
tle grounds,  is  a  circular  pond,  shaped  exactly  like  a  bowl ; 
it  may  be  two  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  and  was,  when  I 
saw  it,  full  of  water,  and  covered  with  the  pond  lily.  Alas ! 
this  pond,  now  so  peaceful,  was  the  common  sepulchre  of 
the  brave ;  the  dead  bodies  of  most  of  those  who  were 
slain  on  this  eventful  day,  were  thrown,  in  undistinguished 
confusion,  into  this  pond;  from  that  time  to  the  present, 
it  has  been  called  the  Bloody  Pond ;  and  there  is  not  a 
child  in  this  region  but  will  point  you  to  the  French 
Mountain  and  the  Bloody  Pond.  I  stood  with  dread  upon 
its  brink,  and  threw  a  stone  into  the  unconscious  waters. 
After  these  events,  a  regular  fort  was  constructed  at  the 
head  of  the  lake,  and  called  fort  William  Henry. 

Early  in  the  spring,  1756,  the  enemy,  invited  by  the 
success  of  the  preceding  year,  made  another  irruption 
into  the  inhabited  country,  and  did  great  mischief.  The 
number  of  troops  on  the  regular  establishment,  was  totally 
insufficient  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier.  The  Indians, 
divided  into  small  parties,  concealed  themselves  with  so 
much  dexterity,  as  seldom  to  be  perceived  until  the  blow 
was  struck.  These  murders  were  frequently  committed 
in  the  very  neighbourhood  of  the  forts,  and  the  detachments 
which  were  employed  in  scouring  the  country  were  gene- 
rally eluded,  or  attacked  to  advantage.  In  one  of  these 
skirmishes  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  stockade,  the  Ame- 
ricans was  totally  routed,  and  Captain  Mercer  killed. 

The  smaller  forts  were  frequently  assaulted  and  attack- 
ed. The  people  either  abandoned  the  country,  or  at- 
tempted to  secure  themselves  in  small  stockades,  where 
they  were  in  great  distress  for  provisions,  arms,  and  am- 
munition. Lord  Loudon  arrived  in  America,  in  July, 
1756,  as  commander-in-chief.  He  was  clothed  with  the 
highest  civil  authority,  having  been  appointed  governor 
of  the  colony.  A  complimentary  address  from  the  regi- 
ment, stating  their  pleasure  at  his  arrival  and  appoint- 
ment, and  the  readiness  with  which  they  would  execute 
his  commands,  was  presented  to  him  ;  also  a  statement  of 


112  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  distress  of  the  colony,  and  a  particular  description  of 
the  situation  of  the  military  points. 

An  army  was  raised,  of  about  twelve  thousand  men, 
which  was  better  prepared  for  the  field  than  any  army 
that  had  been  assembled  in  America.  But  the  change  of 
commanders  delayed  the  operations  of  the  English  army. 
The  French  were  active,  and  on  the  12th  of  July,  Gene- 
ral Abercrombie  received  intelligence  that  they  meditated 
an  attack  upon  Oswego,  a  post  of  the  utmost  importance. 
Gen.  Webb  was  ordered  to  prepare  to  march  with  a  regi- 
ment to  support  the  defence  of  that  place,  but  was  de- 
tained until  the  12th  of  August.  Before  he  had  proceeded 
far,  he  learned  it  was  too  late. 

By  the  loss  of  Oswego,  all  the  western  country  was  laid 
open  to  their  ravages.  There  was  reason  to  fear  that  the 
frontier  posts  would  be  swept  away,  one  after  another, 
and  that  all  the  preparations  which  had  been  made  for  an 
early  attack  on  the  enemy,  would  be  lost  with  them.  Be- 
sides, the  enemy  would  have  another  year  to  fortify  and 
strengthen  their  posts,  and  to  render  the  reduction  of 
them  much  more  hazardous  and  difficult. 

The  colonies  were  obliged  to  submit,  and  Lord  Loudon 
sailed  from  New-York  for  Halifax,  with  six  thousand  land 
forces,  and  there  made  a  junction  with  Holbourn  and 
Hopson.  Here  was  now  an  army  of  twelve  thousand 
men,  exclusive  of  officers,  aided  by  a  powerful  fleet ;  but 
they  were  so  dilatory  in  their  measures,  that  before  they 
were  ready  to  sail,  the  Brest  fleet,  with  seventeen  sail  of 
the  line,  besides  frigates  and  transports,  arrived  at  Louis- 
burg.  The  garrison  was  so  reinforced  as  to  amount  to 
nine  thousand  men.  On  the  reception  of  this  intelligence, 
it  was  judged  inexpedient  to  proceed,  and  the  expedition 
was  given  up. 

liad  the  Earl  of  Loudon  been  a  man  of  enterprise — 
had  he  wished  to  distinguish  himself  in  his  majesty's  ser- 
vice, or  to  have  rendered  himself  popular  in  the  colonies, 
he  might  have  conducted  this  powerful  army  to  Ticonde- 
roga,  and  carried  all  before  him  in  that  quarter.  At  least, 
he  might  have  sent  on  large  detachments  for  the  defence 
of  the  frontiers.  With  his  Prussian  majesty,  an  Amherst, 
or  a  Wolfe,  these  would  have  been  but  natural  and  com- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  113 

mon  achievements.     But  he  returned  leisurely  to  New- 
York,  and  effected  nothing. 

The  British  generals  in  America  did  more,  in  two  years, 
by  the  pusillanimity,  weakness,  and  inconsistency  of  their 
councils,  to  injure  the  colonies,  than  the  French  could 
havre  done  with  all  their  force.  The  provincials  would, 
probably,  have  advanced  to  Crown  Point  the  last  year, 
and  made  themselves  masters  of  the  country  south  of  Lake 
Champlain.  They  would  undoubtedly  have  kept  their 
own  posts,  and  prevented  the  evils  which  followed.  The 
British  generals  and  officers  not  only  lost  Oswego,  but 
they  destroyed  the  fortifications  at  the  great  carrying 
place,  and  filled  Wood  Creek  with  logs  and  trees.  They 
cut  off  all  communication  between  the  colonies  and  the 
Five  Nations,  the  only  body  of  Indians  which  preserved 
the  appearance  of  friendship  to  them.  They  abandoned 
their  whole  country  to  the  mercy  of  the  enemy.  Nothing 
could  be  done  to  prevent  their  collecting  the  Indians, 
from  all  quarters,  to  act  against  the  colonies. 

Monsieur  Montcalm  did  not  neglect  to  improve  the  ad- 
vantages he  had  gained,  and  which  the  conduct  of  the 
British  generals  afforded  him.  Finding  that  the  troops 
were  drawn  off  to  Halifax,  he  at  once  determined  on  the 
siege  of  Fort  William  Henry,  and  the  destruction  of  the 
vessels,  boats,  and  batteaux,  at  the  south  landing  of  Lake 
George.  Bodies  of  Indians,  with  his  whole  force,  were 
collected  for  this  purpose. 

Colonel  Monroe,  who  commanded  at  Fort  William  Heri- 
ry,  having  intelligence  that  an  advanced  party  of  the  ene- 
my lay  at  Ticonderoga,  detached  Colonel  Parker,  with 
four  hundred  men,  to  surprise  them.  Having  landed  at 
night,  not  far  distant  from  the  enemy,  he  sent  three  boats 
to  reconnoitre,  directing  them  where  to  meet  him  in  a 
general  rendezvous.  The  enemy,  waylaying  and  inter- 
cepting the  boats,  obtained  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
colonel's  designs,  and  concerted  measures  to  decoy  him 
into  their  hands.  They  laid  an  ambush  behind  the  point 
where  they  knew  he  designed  to  land  ;  and  having  been 
reinforced  to  nearly  double  his  numbers,  they  sent  three 
boats  to  the  place  appointed  for  the  general  rendezvous. 
The  colonel,  mistaking  them  for  his  own  boats,  eagerly 

10* 


114  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

put  to  shore,  and  was  instantly  surrounded  by  the  enemy. 
They  attacked  him  on  all  sides  with  such  incessant  vio- 
lence, that  seventy  privates  and  two  officers  only  made 
their  escape. 

Elated  with  this  success,  Monsieur  Montcalm  hastened 
to  the  siege  of  Fort  William  Henry.  Having  drawn  to- 
gether all  his  forces  from  Crown  Point,  Ticonderoga,  and 
the  adjacent  posts,  with  a  greater  number  of  Indians  than 
the  French  had  ever  employed  on  any  other  occasion,  he 
passed  the  lake,  and  regularly  invested  the  fort.  The' 
whole  army  consisted  of  nearly  eight  thousand  men.  The 
garrison  consisted  of  about  three  thousand,  and  the  forti- 
fications were  said  to  be  good.  At  Fort  Edward,  scarcely 
fourteen  miles  distant,  lay  General  Webb,  with  four  thou- 
sand troops.  The  regular  troops  at  the  two  posts,  were 
probably  more  than  equal  to  the  regular  force  of  the 
enemy. 

A  considerable  proportion  of  their  army  consisted  of 
Canadians  and  Indians.  Yet,  in  about  six  days,  was  this 
important  post  delivered  up  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
All  the  vessels,  boats,  and  batteaux,  which,  at  so  much 
expense  and  labour,  had  been  for  two  years  preparing, 
fell  into  the  power  of  the  enemy.  Though  General  Webb 
had  timely  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  yet  he 
never  sent  to  alarm  the  country,  and  bring  on  the  militia. 
He  never  reinforced  the  garrison,  nor  made  a  single  mo- 
tion for  its  relief.  So  far  was  he  from  this,  that  he  sent 
a  letter  to  Colonel  Monroe,  who  commanded  the  fort,  ad- 
vising him  to  give  it  up  to  the  enemy. 

Montcalm  intercepted  the  letter,  and  sent  it  into  the 
fort  to  the  colonel.  He  had  acted  the  part  of  a  soldier, 
and  made  a  brave  defence ;  but,  having  burst  a  number  of 
his  cannon,  expended  a  considerable  part  of  his  ammuni- 
tion, and,  perceiving  that  he  was  to  have  no  relief  from 
General  Webb,  he  capitulated  on  terms  honourable  for 
himself  and  the  garrison.  It  was,  to  march  out  with 
arms,  baggage,  and  one  piece  of  cannon,  in  honour  to 
Colonel  Monroe,  for  the  brave  defence  he  had  made.  The 
troops  were  not  to  serve  against  the  most  Christian  king 
under  eighteen  months,  unless  exchanged  for  an  equal 
number  of  French  prisoners. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  115 

The  French  and  Indians  paid  no  regard  to  the  articles 
of  capitulation,  but,  falling  on  the  English,  stripped  them 
of  their  baggage  and  few  remaining  effects ;  and  the  In- 
dians in  the  English  service  were  dragged  from  the 
ranks,  tomahawked  and  scalped.  Men  and  women  had 
their  throats  cut,  their  bodies  ripped  open,  and  their 
bowels,  with  insult,  thrown  in  their  faces.  Infants  and 
children  were  barbarously  taken  by  the  heels,  and  their 
brains  dashed  out  against  stones  and  trees.  The  Indians 
pursued  the  English  nearly  half  the  way  to  Fort  Edward, 
where  the  greatest  number  of  them  arrived  in  a  most  for- 
lorn condition.  It  seems  astonishing,  that  between  two 
and  three  thousand  troops,  with  arms  in  their  hands, 
should,  contrary  to  the  most  express  stipulations,  suffer 
these  intolerable  insults. 

When  it  was  too  late,  General  Webb  alarmed  the  coun- 
try, and  put  the  colonies  to  great  expense  in  sending  on 
large  detachments  of  the  militia  for  the  defence  of  the 
northern  frontier.  The  sudden  capture  of  the  fort,  the 
massacre  made  by  the  enemy's  Indians,  and  suspicions  of 
General  Webb's  treachery,  and  an  apprehension  that  Ge- 
neral Montcalm  would  force  his  way  to  Albany,  put  the 
country  into  a  state  of  great  alarm  and  consternation. 
People  were  never  more  alarmed  during  the  war.  At  the 
same  time,  there  was  never  a  more  general  and  manly 
exertion. 

Connecticut  detached,  and  sent  on,  in  a  few  days,  about 
five  thousand  men.  She  had  raised  and  sent  into  the 
field,  fourteen  hundred  before,  which  was  more  than  her 
proportion.  Large  reinforcements  were  marched  on  to 
Albany,  and  Fort  Edward,  from  New-York,  and  the  other 
colonies.  General  Webb,  notwithstanding  the  great  num- 
bers of  men  with  which  he  was  reinforced,  did  not  make 
any  effectual  provision  for  the  defence  of  the  frontier  set- 
tlements. No  sooner  was  one  expedition  finished  by  the 
enemy,  than  another  was  undertaken.  Soon  after  the 
reduction  of  Fort  William  Henry,  the  enemy,  with  fire 
and  sword,  laid  waste  the  fine  settlements  at  the  German 
Flats,  and  on  the  Mohawk  River. 

On  the  American  station  there  were  nearly  twenty  thou- 
sand regular  troops,  and  a  large  number  of  provincials  in 


116  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

service  ;  and  yet  one  fortress  find  settlement  after  another 
were  swept  away,  and  every  where  the  enemy  rioted 
and  triumphed  with  impunity.  The  army  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  the  campaign  in  inactivity.  The  provincials, 
as  the  season  for  winter  quarters  approached,  returned  to 
their  respective  colonies.  The  regular  troops  were  sta- 
tioned at  Albany  and  Fort  Edward.  Thus  ended  the  in- 
glorious campaign  of  1757. 

By  this  time,  under  the  repeated  losses  they  had  sus- 
tained, the  colonies  had  very  much  lost  their  confidence 
in  the  British  commanders  in  America.  They,  for  two 
years,  had  witnessed  their  dilatory  measures,  their  incon- 
sistency, want  of  foresight,  and  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  and 
had  such  bitter  experience  of  the  consequences,  that 
they  considered  them  as  utterly  disqualified  for  the  im- 
portant command  which  they  held.  To  their  incapacity 
and  pusillanimity,  wholly  did  they  impute  the  loss  of  Os- 
vvego,  Fort  William  Henry,  and  their  other  losses  on  the 
frontiers. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  reinforcements  which  France 
had  sent  to  Canada,  they,  every  campaign,  had  a  force 
much  superior  to  the  enemy.  Had  they  been  men  of 
military  genius,  skill,  and  enterprise,  instead  of  the  losses 
they  sustained,  they  might  have  led  on  their  troops  to 
conquest  and  glory.  Had  the  colonies  been  left  to  them- 
selves, they  would  probably  have  done  better. 

The  first  year  of  the  war,  when  left  to  themselves, 
their  achievements  were  honourable  and  useful  to  the  na- 
tion ;  but  now  they  had  sustained  two  years  of  great  ex- 
pense, which  had  been  worse  than  lost.  Indeed,  such 
were  the  ministry,  and  the  men  whom  they  employed, 
that  misfortune  and  disaster  attended  them  in  almost 
every  quarter  of  the  globe.*  A  British  historian  ob- 
serves, with  respect  to  this  third  campaign  in  America, 
"  That  it  ended  to  the  eternal  disgrace  of  those  who  then 
commanded  the  armies,  and  directed  the  counsels  of 
Great  Britain." 

By  this  time,  the  disputes  relative  to  the  Ohio,  Crown 

*  There  was  one  exception  :  Admiral  Watson  and  Colonel  Clive 
acted  with  great  magnanimity  and  success  upon  the  Ganges,  in  the 
East  Indies. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  117 

Point,  and  territory  in  America,  had  involved  a  great  part 
of  Europe  in  the  flames  of  war.  It  had  kindled  in  both 
the  Indies,  and  extended  its  destructive  influence  beyond 
the  Ganges.  The  disappointments  and  losses  of  the 
British  nation  for  a  succession  of  years,  and  its  present 
exigencies,  absolutely  demanded  a  change  of  men  and 
measures.  Men  of  capacity  and  enterprise  were  neces- 
sary to  retrieve  its  honour,  and  prevent  its  ruin. 

By  a  most  happy  turn  in  Providence,  those  incompara- 
ble men,  Mr.  Pitt,  Mr.  Leg,  and  their  friends,  had  been 
chosen  and  established  in  the  ministry,  and  had  time  to 
concert  their  measures,  and  choose  the  men  to  carry  them 
into  execution.  Now,  therefore,  every  thing  relative  to 
the  nation,  in  Europe  and  America,  took  a  new  and  sur- 
prising turn.  Now  men  were  brought  forward,  upon 
whose  fidelity,  skill,  and  spirit  of  enterprise,  confidence 
might  be  placed. 

Notwithstanding  the  disappointments  and  losses  of  the 
past  years,  they  determined  on  the  reduction  of  Louis- 
burg,  with  a  view  of  cutting  off  the  communication  be- 
tween France  and  Canada,  of  destroying  the  French  fishe- 
ry, and  of  securing  the  trade  and  fisheries  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, and  her  colonies  in  America.  At  the  same  time,  to 
gratify  the  colonies,  and  to  draw  forth  their  whole 
strength  into  exertion,  they  also  determined  on  expedi- 
tions against  Crown  Point  and  Fort  Du  Quesne. 
.  Intimations  of  his  majesty's  design,  and  of  his  expec- 
tations from  the  colonies,  were,  at  an  early  period,  given 
to  them  by  letters  from  the  Right  Honourable  Mr.  Pitt. 
These  were  written  in  a  style  which  animated  their  cour- 
age, and  drew  forth  their  most  spirited  exertions.  The 
people  of  Connecticut,  in  particular,  exerted  themselves 
in  an  extraordinary  manner. 

A  special  assembly  was  convened,  on  the  8th  of  March, 
at  New-Haven,  when  the  Right  Honourable  Mr.  Pitt's  let- 
ter was  communicated  to  the  legislature,  importing,  that 
his  majesty  had  nothing  more  at  heart  than  to  repair  the 
losses  and  disappointments  of  the  last  inactive  and  un- 
happy campaign,  and  by  the  most  vigorous  and  extensive 
efforts,  to  avert,  by  the  blessings  of  God  upon  his  arms, 
the  dangers  impending  over  North  America — and  not 


118  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

doubting  but  his  faithful  and  brave  subjects  here  would 
cheerfully  co-operate  with  and  second,  to  the  utmost,  the 
large  expense  and  extraordinary  succours  supplied  by  his 
kingdom,  for  their  preservation  and  defence  ;  and  that 
his  majesty,  judging  that  his  colony,  together  with  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay,  New-Hampshire,  Rhode-Island,  New- 
York,  and  New-Jersey,  were  able  to  furnish  twenty  thou- 
sand men,  to  join  a  body  of  the  king's  forces  for  inva- 
ding Canada,  and  carrying  the  war  into  the  heart  of  the 
enemy's  possessions  ;  and  that  it  was  his  majesty's  plea- 
sure, that,  with  all  possible  despatch,  there  be  raised  as 
large  a  body  of  men  as  the  number  of  inhabitants  would 
allow,  to  begin  the  operations  of  the  campaign,  as  soon 
as  practicable.  And  that  no  encouragement  might  be 
wanting  to  so  great  and  salutary  an  attempt,  that  strong 
recommendations  would  be  made  to  parliament,  to  grant 
compensation  for  the  expenses  of  said  provinces,  accord- 
ing as  their  active  vigour  and  strenuous  efforts  should  ap- 
pear justly  to  merit. 

The  legislature  resolved,  That,  notwithstanding  this 
colony,  when  acting  with  the  several  provinces  aforesaid, 
in  the  three  several  expeditions  undertaken  the  preceding 
years,  against  Crown  Point,  hath  raised  a  much  greater 
number  of  men  than  its  just  proportion,  in  comparison 
with  what  they  then  raised,  by  means  of  which  the  num- 
ber of  men  is  greatly  diminished,  and  its  strength  much 
exhausted,  yet  that  nothing  be  wanting  on  the  part  of 
this  colony,  to  promote  the  great  and  good  design  pro- 
posed by  his  majesty,  and  relying  on  his  royal  encourage- 
ment, five  thousand  good  and  effective  men,  including  of- 
ficers, shall  be  raised  within  this  colony,  as  soon  as  may 
be,  for  the  service  aforesaid.  It  was  resolved  at  the  same 
time,  that  the  assembly  is  sensible,  that  it  is  really  more 
than  the  number  of  men  this  colony  can  allow,  without 
great  difficulty ;  and  much  exceeds  this  colony's  propor- 
tion, even  of  twenty  thousand  men,  when  compared  with 
the  other  provinces. 

It  was  resolved,  that  the  said  five  thousand  men  should 
be  formed  into  four  regiments,  consisting  of  twelve  com- 
panies in  each  regiment ;  that  there  should  be  one  colo- 
nel, one  lieutenant-colonel,  one  major,  and  one  chaplain 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  119 

to  a  regiment.  The  honourable  Phinehas  Lyman,  Esq. 
who  had  a  general's  command  in  1755,  Nathan  Whiting, 
Esq.  Eliphalet  Dyar,  Esq,  and  John  Read,  Esq.  were  ap- 
pointed colonels,  to  command  the  respective  regiments.* 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  George  Beckwith,  Joseph  Fish,  Benja- 
min Pomeroy,  and  Jonathan  Ingersoll,  were  appointed 
chaplains. 

To  encourage  the  speedy  enlistment  of  men  for  the 
service,  the  bounty  was  increased  much  beyond  what  it 
had  been  in  former  years.  All  proper  measures  were 
adopted  to  raise  the  troops  with  expedition,  and  to  have 
them  seasonably  in  the  field. 

To  provide  for  the  expenses  of  such  a  number  of  troops, 
the  assembly  enacted  that  thirty  thousand  pounds,  lawful 
money,  in  bills  of  credit,  at  five  per  cent,  interest,  should 
be  immediately  printed  :  and  that  for  a  fund  for  the  sink- 
ing of  said  bills,  a  tax  of  eight  pence  on  the  pound  should 
be  levied  on  the  grand  list  of  the  colony,  to  be  brought  in 
Anno  Domini  1760.  It  was  provided,  however,  that 
such  moneys  as  should  arrive  from  Great  Britain,  for  the 
reimbursement  of  the  expenses  of  the  war,  should  be  ap- 
plied, by  the  treasurer,  for  the  purpose  of  sinking  the  said 
bills,  and  that  if  a  sufficient  sum  should  arrive  before 
the  time  fixed  for  the  payment  of  said  tax,  to  sink  the 
whole,  that  then  said  tax  should  not  be  levied,  and  that 
the  act  respecting  it  should  be  null  and  void. 

That  the  treasurer  might  be  able  to  pay  the  troops  on 
their  return  from  the  public  service,  the  assembly  laid  a 
tax  of  nine  pence  on  the  pound  on  the  whole  rateable  es- 
tate of  the  colony,  according  to  the  list  brought  into  the 
assembly  in  October  last,  and  ordered  that  it  should  be 
collected  by  the  last  of  December  then  following.  And 
as  it  was  uncertain  whether  money  would  arrive,  suffi- 
cient to  reimburse  the  expenses  of  the  colony,  in  season, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  borrow  the  sum  of  twenty- 
five  thousand  pounds,  to  be  paid  before  the  20th  of  May 

*  Each  colonel  was  allowed  forty  pounds  for  his  table,  and  the  decent 
support  of  his  chaplain.  Their  wages,  as  colonels,  and  captains  for  one 
company,  was  fifteen  pounds  per  month.  The  bounty  for  each  man 
who  would  equip  himself  for  the  field,  was  four  pounds.  The  wages 
were  the  same  as  in  the  preceding  year. 


120  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

1761.  For  an  ample  fund  to  repay  the  sum  to  be  bor- 
rowed, a  tax  of  five  pence  on  the  pound  was  levied  on  the 
list  which  should  be  brought  into  the  assembly  in  1759, 
to  be  paid  into  the  treasury  by  the  last  of  December, 
1760. 

It  was  enacted  also,  that  any  of  the  notes  given  for  the 
money  borrowed,  might  be  received  in  payment  of  said 
tax.  But,  as  considerable  sums  of  money  were  expected 
from  England,  for  provisions,  furnished  for  the  troops  un- 
der Lord  Loudon,  in  1756,  it  was  enacted  that  said  money, 
as  fast  as  it  should  arrive,  should  be  applied  to  discharge 
the  notes  given  for  the  money  borrowed ;  and  that,  if  a 
sufficient  sum  should  seasonably  arrive  to  discharge  all 
the  notes,  that  then  said  tax  should  not  be  collected. 

That  nothing  might  be  left  undone,  which  could  be  at- 
tempted for  his  majesty's  service,  the  commissioners  ap- 
pointed in  October,  to  meet  those  from  the  other  colonies, 
were  now  authorized  to  meet  them  at  Hartford  on  the 
19th  of  April,  or  as  near  that  time  as  might  be,  to  consult 
on  measures  for  the  general  safety,  and  to  excite  the  se- 
veral colonies  to  the  most  vigorous  and  united  exertions 
to  carry  his  majesty's  designs  into  execution.*  As  it  ap- 
peared by  Mr.  Pitt's  letter,  that  Major  General  Aber- 
crombie  was  chief  commander  of  the  troops  for  the  north- 
ern expedition,  the  governor  was  desired  to  give  him 
the  earliest  information  of  the  measures  adopted  by  the 
colonies,  and  their  vigorous  preparations  for  an  early  and 
successful  campaign. 

While  the  colonies  were  employing  the  most  vigorous 
exertions  for  an  early  campaign,  such  effectual  measures 
had  been  pursued  in  England,  that,  in  February,  the  ar- 
mament designed  for  the  reduction  of  Louisburg,  was  in 
readiness,  and  sailed  for  America.  Admiral  Boscawen 
commanded  the  naval,  and  General  Amherst  the  land  ope- 
rations. Under  General  Amherst,  was  Brigadier  General 
Wolfe.  These  were  men  of  singular  characters.  Gene- 
ral Amherst  had  the  coolness  and  abilities  of  the  Roman 
Fabius,  while  General  Wolfe  possessed  the  magnanimity 
and  fire  of  the  Scipios.  From  such  men,  great  achieve- 

*  Records  of  the  Colony  for  March  8lh,  1753. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  121 

ments  might  reasonably  be  expected  ;  and  their  successes 
equalled  the  most  sanguine  expectations. 

Admiral  Boscawen,  and  General  Amherst,  with  the  ar- 
mament under  their  command,  arrived  safely  in  America; 
and,  on  the  28th  of  May,  the  whole  fleet,  consisting  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  sail,  with  about  fourteen 
thousand  troops  on  board,  took  its  departure  from  Halifax, 
and,  on  the  second  of  June,  appeared  before  Louisburg. 

For  six  days  the  landing  of  the  troops  was  impractica- 
ble. The  surf  was  so  great,  that  no  boat  could  live  near 
the  shore.  On  every  part  of  the  coast  where  a  landing 
was  judged  practicable,  the  enemy  had  made  entrench- 
ments ;  and,  in  places  most  convenient  for  the  purpose, 
they  had  erected  batteries,  and  mounted  cannon.  During 
the  whole  time  after  the  discovery  of  the  fleet,  until  the 
landing  of  the  troops,  the  enemy  employed  themselves  in 
strengthening  their  lines.  These  they  manned  with  nu- 
merous infantry.  General  Amherst,  with  a  number  of 
his  officers,  reconnoitered  the  shore. 

On  the  eighth  the  weather  became  more  favourable, 
though  there  was  yet  a  great  swell  and  surf.  The  Gene- 
ral, determining  not  to  a  lose  moment,  seized  the  oppor- 
tunity. Before  the  break  of  day,  the  troops  were  em- 
barked in  three  divisions.  The  admiral  and  general  made 
their  dispositions  with  consummate  judgment.  To  distract 
the  enemy,  and  draw  their  attention  to  different  parts,  the 
dispositions  were  made  in  this  manner : — The  divisions 
on  the  right,  and  in  the  centre,  were  designed  only  for 
feints,  while  that  on  the  left  was  appointed  for  the  real 
attack.  This  was  commanded  by  General  Wolfe.  Be- 
fore the  landing,  five  frigates,  and  some  other  ships  of 
var,  commenced  a  furious  fire,  not  only  on  the  centre,  but 
on  the  right  and  left  of  the  enemy,  to  rake  them  in  their 
flanks.  When  these  had  fired  about  fifteen  minutes,  Ge- 
neral Wolfe  pressed  to  the  shore.  The  enemy  reserved 
his  fire  until  the  boats  were  nearly  in  shore,  and  then 
pouied  upon  them  the  united  blaze  and  thunder  of  their 
musketry  and  cannon.  Many  of  the  boats  were  overset, 
and  others  dashed  in  pieces.  Some  of  the  men  were 
thrown,  and  others  leaped  into  the  water;  and  while 
some  were  killed,  and  others  drowned,  the  main  body, 

11 


122  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

supported  and  animated  by  the  noble  example  and  con- 
duct of  their  commander,  pushed  to  the  land,  and  with 
such  order  and  resolution  rushed  on  the  enemy,  as  soon 
put  them  into  confusion,  and  drove  them  from  their  en- 
trenchments. When  General  Wolfe  had  made  good  his 
landing,  the  centre  division  having  moved  to  the  left,  and 
the  right  following  the  centre,  the  landing  was  completed 
in  excellent  order. 

For  many  days  the  weather  was  so  bad,  and  the  swell 
and  surf  so  great,  that  scarcely  any  of  the  artillery  or 
stores  could  be  landed.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that 
even  the  tents,  provisions,  and  implements  for  the  siege, 
were  got  on  shore.  The  weather  was  so  bad  at  the  time 
of  landing,  and  during  the  siege,  that  a  hundred  boats 
were  lost  in  the  service.  The  enemy  had  five  ships  of 
the  line,  and  one  or  more  frigates,  in  the  harbour,  and 
could  bring  their  guns  to  bear  upon  the  troops,  in  their 
approaches.  The  ground  was  exceedingly  bad ;  in  some 
places  rough,  in  others  boggy,  wet,  and  miry.  These  ob- 
stacles, with  a  brave  resistance  from  the  enemy,  caused 
the  seige  for  some  time  to  proceed  slowly. 

But  no  discouragements  wrere  judged  insurmountable, 
by  such  generals  as  Amherst  and  Wolfe.  By  the  twelfth 
of  June,  General  Wolfe  had  secured  the  point  called  the 
light-house  battery,  and  all  the  posts  in  that  quarter.  On 
the  twenty-fifth,  he  had  silenced  the  island  battery ;  but 
the  shipping  in  the  harbour  kept  up  the  fire  upon  him 
until  the  twenty-first  of  July.  One  of  the  ships  then  took 
fire  and  blew  up.  This  set  two  others  on  fire,  which 
burnt  to  the  water's  edge.  This  was  to  the  enemy  an  ir- 
reparable loss. 

By  this  time,  Gen.  Amherst  had  made  his  approaches 
near  to  the  city ;  so  that  he  was  in  good  forwardness 
to  make  lodgements  on  the  covered  way.  The  town,  in 
many  places,  was  consumed  to  the  ground,  and  in  others, 
was  much  damaged.  The  fire  of  the  enemy  greatly  lan- 
guished, )*et  no  proposals  of  capitulation  were  made. 
One  bold  action  more  was  necessary  to  bring  them  to 
terms.  That  was  to  destroy,  or  bring  off,  the  ships  re- 
maining in  the  harbour. 

For  this  purpose,  the  admiral  sent  in  a  detachment  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  123 

six  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  two  enterprising 
young  captains,  Laforey  and  Balfour.  Between  the  25th 
and  26th  of  the  month,  under  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
they  made  their  way  through  a  terrible  fire  of  cannon  and 
musketry,  and  sword  in  hand,  took  the  two  ships.  One 
ran  aground,  and  was  burnt ;  the  other  they  rowed  out  of 
the  harbour,  in  triumph. 

The  next  morning,  the  governor  proposed  terms  of  ca- 
pitulation. The  garrison,  consisting  of  five  thousand  se- 
ven hundred  and  thirty-seven  men,  surrendered  prisoners 
of  war.  One  hundred  and  twenty-one  cannon,  eighteen 
mortars,  and  large  quantities  of  stores  and  ammunition, 
were  taken.  The  enemy  lost  five  ships  of  the  line  and 
four  frigates,  besides  other  vessels.  St.  Johns,  with 
Louisburg,  was  given  up,  and  the  English  became  mas- 
ters of  the  whole  coast,  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Nova- 
Scotia.  This  was  the  most  effectual  blow  to  France,  which 
she  had  received  since  the  commencement  of  the  war.  It 
was  a  deep  wound  to  her  navy,  and  especially  to  her  co- 
lonies and  interests  in  America.  It  very  much  cut  off  her 
communication  with  Canada,  and  greatly  facilitated  the 
reduction  of  that  country. 

As  the  reduction  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  was 
a  favourite  object  with  the  northern  colonies,  they  made 
early  and  great  exertions  for  carrying  it  into  effectual  exe- 
cution. Besides  the  assistance  which  they  gave  to  the  re- 
duction of  Louisburg,  they  furnished  about  ten  thousand 
troops  for  the  northern  expedition.  These,  in  conjunction 
with  between  six  and  seven  thousand  regular  troops,  had, 
by  the  beginning  of  July,  got  into  Lake  George  more 
than  a  thousand  boats  and  batteaux,  a  fine  train  of  artille- 
ry, provisions,  and  every  thing  necessary  for  an  attack  on 
the  fortresses  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  fifth  of  July,  the  army,  consisting  of  fifteen 
thousand  three  hundred  and  ninety  effective  men,  embark- 
ed in  nine  hundred  batteaux,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
hve  whale  boats,  for  Ticonderoga.  Besides,  there  were 
a  number  of  rafts,  on  which  cannon  were  mounted  to  co- 
ver the  landing  of  the  troops.  Early  next  morning,  they 
landed  at  the  north  end  of  Lake  George,  without  oppo- 
sition. The  army  formed  in  four  columns,  and  began 


124  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

their  march  for  Ticonderoga.  But  as  the  woods  were 
thick,  and  the  guides  unskilful,  the  troops  were  bewilder- 
ed, and  the  columns  falling  in  one  upon  another,  were  en- 
tirely broken. 

In  this  confusion,  Lord  Howe,  advancing  at  the  head 
of  the  right  centre  column,  fell  in  with  the  advanced 
guard  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  a  battalion  of  regulars 
and  a  few  Indians,  who  had  deserted  their  advanced  camp, 
near  the  lake,  and  were  precipitately  fleeing  from  our 
troops ;  but  had  lost  their  way,  and  were  bewildered  in 
the  same  way  as  they  were.  The  enemy  discharged,  and 
killed  Lord  Howe  the  first  fire.  The  suddenness  of  the  at- 
tack, the  terribleness  of  the  Indian  yell,  and  the  fall  of 
Lord  Howe,  threw  the  regulars,  who  composed  the  cen- 
tre columns,  into  a  general  panic  and  confusion;  but  the 
provincials,  who  flanked  them,  and  were  acquainted  with 
their  mode  of  fighting,  stood  their  ground,  and  soon  de- 
feated them.  The  loss  of  the  enemy,  was  about  three 
hundred  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  taken. 
The  loss  of  the  English  was  inconsiderable  as  to  numbers, 
but  in  worth  and  consequences,  it  was  great.  The  loss 
of  that  gallant  officer,  Lord  Howe,  was  irreparable. 

From  the  day  of  his  arrival  in  America,  he  had  con- 
formed himself,  and  made  his  regiment  to  conform,  to 
that  kind  of  service  which  the  country  required.  He  was 
the  first  to  endure  hunger  and  fatigue,  to  encounter  dan- 
ger, and  to  sacrifice  ail  personal  considerations  to  the  pub- 
lic service.  While  be  was  rigid  in  discipline,  by  his  affa- 
bility, condescending  and  easy  manners,  he  conciliated 
affection,  and  commanded  universal  esteem.  Indeed,  he 
was  considered  very  much  as  the  idol  and  life  of  the  ar- 
my. The  loss  of  such  a  man,  at  such  a  time,  cannot  be 
estimated.  To  this,  the  provincials  attributed  the  defeat 
and  unhappy  consequences  which  followed. 

As  the  troops  for  •  two  nights  had  slept  little,  were 
greatly  fatigued,  and  needed  refreshment,  the  general  or- 
dered them  to  return  to  the  landing  place,  where  they  ar- 
rived at  eight  in  the  morning. 

Colonel  Bradstreet  was  soon  after  detached  with  a 
strong  corps,  to  take  possession  of  the  saw  mill,  about 
two  miles  from  Ticonderoga,  which  the  enemy  had  aban- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  123 

doned.  Towards  the  close  of  the  day,  the  whole  army 
marched  to  the  mill.  The  general,  having  received  in- 
formation that  the  garrison  at  Ticonderoga  consisted  of 
about  six  thousand  men,  and  that  a  reinforcement  of 
three  thousand  more  was  daily  expected,  determined  to 
lose  no  time  in  attacking  their  lines.  He  ordered  his  en- 
gineer to  reconnoitre  the  ground  and  intrenchments  of 
the  enemy.  It  seems  that  he  had  not  so  approached  and 
examined  them  as  to  obtain  any  proper  idea  of  them.  He 
made  a  favourable  report  of  their  weakness,  and  of  the 
facility  of  forcing  them  without  cannon.  On  this  ground- 
!;•  >  report,  a  rash  and  fatal  resolution  was  taken,  to  at- 
tack the  lines  without  bringing  up  the  artillery. 

The  army  advanced  to  the  charge  with  the  greatest  in- 
trepidity, and  for  more  than  four  hours,  with  incredible 
obstinacy,  maintained  the  attack.  But  the  works  where 
the  principal  attack  was  made,  were  eight  or  nine  feet 
high,  and  impregnable  even  by  field  pieces ;  and  for 
nearly  an  hundred  yards  from  the  breast-work,  trees  were 
felled  so  thick,  and  so  wrought  together,  with  their  limbs 
pointing  outward,  that  it  rendered  the  approach  of  the 
troops,  in  a  great  measure,  impossible.  In  this  dreadful 
situation,  under  the  fire  of  about  three  thousand  of  the 
enemy,  these  gallant  troops  were  kept,  without  the  least 
prospect  of  success,  until  nearly  two  thousand  were  killed 
and  wounded.  They  were* then  called  off.  To  this  rash 
and  precipitate  attack  succeeded  a  retreat  equally  unad- 
vised and  precipitate.  By  the  evening  of  the  next  day, 
the  army  had  retreated  to  their  former  encampment  at  the 
south  end  of  Lake  George. 

Nothing  could  have  been  more  contrary  to  the  opi- 
nions, or  more  mortifying  to  the  feelings  of  the  provin- 
cials, than  this  whole  affair.  They  viewed  the  attack  up- 
on the  lines  without  the  artillery  as  the  height  of  mad- 
ness. Besides,  it  was  made  under  every  disadvantage  to 
the  assailants.  The  enemy's  lines  were  of  great  extent, 
nearly  three  quarters  of  a  mile.  On  the  right  of  the 
common  path  towards  south  bay,  and  especially  on  the 
north,  they  were  weak  and  of  little  consideration.  In 
both  these  quarters  they  might  have  been  approached  un- 
der the  cover  of  a  thick  wood. 

11* 


126  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

The  army  was  sufficiently  numerous  to  have  attacked 
the  lines  in  their  whole  extent  at  once,  or  at  least  in  a 
very  great  part  of  them*  and  to  have  drawn  their  atten- 
tion to  various  parts  of  their  lines.  But,  unhappily,  the 
attack  was  made  upon  a  small  part  of  them  where  they 
were  far  the  strongest  and  most  inaccessible.  As  no  at- 
tacks or  feints  were  made  in  other  parts,  the  enemy  were 
left  to  pour  their  whole  fire  on  a  small  spot,  while  the 
whole  army  could  not  approach  it.  Besides,  the  general 
never  approached  the  field,  where  his  presence  was  in- 
dispensably necessary,  but  remained  at  the  mill,  where  he 
could  see  nothing  of  the  action,  nor  know  any  thing, 
only  by  information  at  a  distance  of  two  miles.  By  rea- 
son of  this,  the  troops,  for  hours  after  they  should  have 
been  called  off,  were  pushed  on  to  inevitable  slaughter. 

But  especially  did  the  provincials  reprobate  the  retreat. 
They  considered  themselves  as  more  than  a  match  for  the 
enemy,  should  their  pretended  reinforcements  arrive. 
The  army,  after  this  bloody  affair,  consisted  of  fourteen 
thousand  effective  men.  After  all  the  pompous  accounts 
of  the  numbers  of  the  enemy,  they  amounted  to  little 
more  than  three  thousand.  When  the  general  retreated, 
he  had  more  than  four  effective  men  to  one  of  theirs. 
He  had  a  fine  train  of  artillery,  and  there  were  strong 
grounds  on  which  he  might  have  encamped  with  the 
utmost  safety.  There  were  eminences  which  commanded 
all  the  works  of  the  enemy,  whence  he  might  have  enfi- 
laded their  front,  and  poured  destruction  on  their  whole 
lines  and  camp. 

The  provincial  officers  were,  therefore,  clearly  of  the 
opinion,  that  there  was  the  fairest  prospect  of  success, 
notwithstanding  their  misfortune,  could  the  expedition 
only  be  prosecuted  with  energy  and  prudence.  But  the 
general  took  his  own  way,  without  advising  with  them, 
and  appeared  to  retreat  with  the  utmost  perturbation. 

The  general  never  had  been  high  in  the  estimation  of 
the  provincials  after  the  loss  of  Oswego ;  but  now  he 
sunk  into  contempt.  They  generally  called  him  Mrs. 
Nabbycrombie,  importing  that  petticoats  would  much 
better  become  him  than  breeches.  To  repair,  as  far  as 
might  be,  the  disaster  at  Ticonderoga,  the  general  detach- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  127 

ed  Colonel  Bradstreet,  with  three  thousand  provincials, 
on  an  expedition  against  Fort  Frontenac. 

With  these  troops  Bradstreet  sailed  down  the  Ontario, 
landed  within  a  mile  of  the  fort,  opened  his  batteries,  and, 
in  two  days,  forced  this  important  fortress  to  surrender. 

While  these  events  were  taking  place  in  the  northern 
department,  General  Forbes,  who  had  been  appointed  to 
command  the  expedition  to  the  southward,  was  advancing 
with  great  activity  and  labour,  to  the  conquest  of  Fort  Du 
Quesne.  About  eight  thousand  men  had  been  assigned 
to  this  service.  In  June,  the  general  inarched  from  Phi- 
ladelphia for  the  Ohio. 

An  attack,  however,  was  needless,  the  fort  having  been 
deserted  by  the  garrison  the  evening  before  the  arrival 
of  the  army.  General  Forbes  took  quiet  possession  of 
the  place,  and  repaired  the  fort,  and  named  it  Fort  Pitt, 
in  honour  to  Secretary  Pitt. 

The  incredible  fatigues  of  this  campaign  so  broke  the 
constitution  of  this  vigilant  and  brave  commander,  that 
he  returned  to  Philadelphia  in  a  very  enfeebled  state ; 
where,  after  languishing  a  short  time,  he  died,  universally 
lamented. 

When  General  Amherst  arrived  with  his  troops  at  the 
lakes,  the  season  was  so  far  advanced,  and  such  a  body 
of  troops  had  been  drawn  off,  for  the  expedition  under 
Colonel  Bradstreet,  that  he  judged  it  unadvisable  to  make 
any  further  attempts  against  the  enemy  during  that  cam- 
paign. 

Notwithstanding  the  defeat  at  Ticonderoga,  the  cam- 
paign closed  with  great  honour  and  advantage,  not  only  to 
the  colonies,  but  to  the  nation  in  general.  In  this,  the 
fourth  year  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  the 
English  had  not  only  reduced  Louisburg,  St.  Johns,  and 
Frontenac ;  but  had  made  themselves  the  undisturbed 
possessors  of  that  fine  tract  of  country,  the  contention 
for  which  had  kindled  the  flames  of  war  in  so  general 
and  destructive  a  manner.  Success  had  attended  the 
British  arms,  not  only  in  America,  but  in  almost  every 
quarter  of  the  globe.  The  successes  in  America,  besides 
many  other  important  advantages,  paved  the  way  for  that 


128  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

series  of  successful  events,  which  terminated  in  the  entire 
reduction  of  Canada. 

Another  favourable  occurrence  of  this  year,  which  had 
its  influence  in  that  great  event,  was  a  general  treaty  aftd 
pacification  with  all  the  Indian  nations,  inhabiting  between 
the  Appalachian  mountains  and  the  lakes.  This  was 
completed  at  Easton,  on  the  eighth  of  October. 

1759.  It  was  proposed  to  attack  Canada,  and  it  was  de- 
termined, that  three  powerful  armies  should  enter  the 
country  by  different  routes,  and  commence  an  attack  at 
the  same  time.  General  Amherst,  who  commanded  one 
division,  in  his  route  attacked  Ticonderoga.  The  garri- 
son soon  surrendered,  as  the  principal  part  of  them  had 
retired  to  Crown  Point.  General  Amherst  proceeded 
against  this  place,  and  took  possession  of  it,  but  the  ene- 
my, before  their  arrival,  fled  to  Isle  aux  Noix,  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  Lake  Champlain.  The  second  party,  com- 
manded by  General  Prideaux,  was  destined  against  Nia- 
gara, but  he  was  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  cohorn.  Sir 
William  Johnson,  on  whom  the  command  now  rested, 
successfully  put  in  execution  the  plans  of  his  lamented 
predecessor  ;  and  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  July,  a  gene- 
ral battle  took  place.  The  action  was  warm  and  bloody, 
and  the  carnage  was  great ;  but  the  conflict  was  short, 
which  placed  Niagara  in  the  hands  of  the  English. 

An  expedition  against  Quebec  was  the  most  daring  and 
important.  That  place  was  so  well  strengthened,  that  all 
expeditions  against  it  had  failed.  It  was  commanded  by 
Montcalm,  who  was  posted  below  the  town,  with  a  strong 
force,  and  the  town  was  covered  by  an  army  of  10,000 
men.  General  Wolfe  was  determined  to  try  his  skill  in 
this  case.  He  soon  took  possession  of  Point  Levi,  on 
the  southern  bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  erected  bat- 
'.eries.  By  means  of  these,  he  destroyed  many  houses, 
but  made  little  impression  on  the  fortifications  of  the 
town ;  he  resolved  to  quit  his  post. 

General  Wolfe  made  several  attempts  to  reduce  the 
place,  but  they  all  proved  unsuccessful.  He  also  at- 
tempted to  destroy  the  shipping  ;  this  attempt  also  proved 
abortive.  Stung  with  chagrin  at  his  own  disappointment, 
General  Wolfe  determined  to  ascend  a  precipice  of  about 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  129 

one  hundred  and   seventy-five  feet,   by  which  he  might 
gain  the  heights  of  Abraham. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  one  hour  after  midnight, 
General  Wolfe,  with  his  army,  leaving  the  ships,  embark- 
ed in  boats,  and  silently  dropped  down  with  the  current, 
intending  to  land  a  league  above  Cape  Diamond,  and  thus 
to  gain  the  heights  of  Abraham.  But,  owing  to  the  ra 
pidity  of  the  current,  they  fell  below  their  intended  place, 
and  disembarked  at  what  is  now  called  Wolfe's  cove,  a 
mile,  or  a  mile  and  a  half,  above  the  city.  The  operation 
was  a  most  critical  one — they  had  to  navigate  in  silence, 
down  a  rapid  stream — to  hit  upon  the  right  place  for  a 
landing,  which,  in  the  dark,  might  be  easily  mistaken — 
the  shore  was  shelving,  and  the  bank  to  be  ascended  was 
steep  and  lofty,  and  scarcely  practicable,  even  without 
opposition.  Doubtless,  it  was  this  combination  of  cir- 
cumstances which  lulled  the  vigilance  of  the  wary  and 
discerning  Montcalm  ;  he  thought  such  an  enterprise  ab- 
solutely impracticable,  and  therefore  had  stationed  only 
sentinels  and  picket  guards  along  this  precipitous  shore. 

Indeed,  the  attempt  was  in  the  greatest  danger  of  being 
defeated  by  an  occurrence,  which  is  very  interesting,  as 
marking  much  more  emphatically,  than  dry  official  ac- 
counts can  do,  the  very  great  delicacy  of  the  transaction. 

One  of  the  French  sentinels,  posted  along  the  shore, 
challenged  the  English  boats  in  the  customary  military 
language  of  the  French ;  "  Qui  vitT'  who  goes  there  !  to 
which  a  captain  of  Frazer's  regiment,  who  had  served  in 
Holland,  and  was  familiar  with  the  French  language  and 
customs,  promptly  replied,  "  la  France"  The  next  ques- 
tion was  much  more  embarrassing,  for  the  sentinel  de- 
manded, "  a  quel  regiment ?"  "  to  what  regiment."  The 
captain,  who  happened  to  know  the  name  of  one  of  the 
regiments  which  was  up  the  river  with  Bougainville, 
promptly  rejoined,  "  de  la  Reine"  "  the  queen's."  The 
soldier  immediately  replied,  "  passe,"  for  he  concluded 
at  once,  that  this  was  a  French  convoy  of  provisions, 
which,  as  the  English  had  learned  from  some  deserters, 
was  expected  to  pass  down  the  river  to  Quebec. 

The  other  sentinels  were  deceived  in  a  similar  manner, 
but  one,  less  credulous  than  the  rest,  running  down  to  the 


130  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

water's  edge,  called  out,  "  Pourquoi  est  ce  que  vous  ne 
parlez  plus  haut  ?"  "  why  don't  you  speak  louder  ?"  The 
same  captain,  with  perfect  self-command,  replied,  "Tai, 
toi,  nous  serons  entendues !"  "  hush,  we  shall  be  over- 
heard and  discovered."  The  sentry,  satisfied  with  this 
caution,  retired.  The  British  boats  were  on  the  point  of 
being  fired  into  by  the  captain  of  one  of  their  own  trans- 
port ships,  who,  ignorant  of  what  was  going  on,  took 
them  for  French;  but  General  Wolfe,  perceiving  the 
commotion  on  board,  rowed  along  side  in  person,  and  pre- 
vented the  firing,  which  would  have  alarmed  the  town, 
and  frustrated  the  enterprise. 

General  Wolfe,  although  greatly  reduced  by  a  fever,  to 
which  a  dysentery  was  superadded,  was,  nevertheless,  the 
first  man  to  leap  ashore.  The  rugged  precipices,  full  of 
projections  of  rocks,  and  of  trees,  and  shrubs,  growing 
every  where  among  the  cliffs,  into  which  the  bank  was 
broken,  presented  a  most  forbidding  appearance,  and  Ge- 
neral Wolfe,  familiarly  speaking  to  an  officer  who  stood 
by,  said,  "  I  don't  believe  there  is  any  possibility  of  get- 
ting up,  but  you  must  do  your  endeavour." 

There  was  only  a  narrow  path,  leading  obliquely  up 
the  hill ;  this  had  been  rendered  by  the  enemy  impassable, 
in  consequence  of  being  broken  up  by  cross  ditches,  and 
there  was,  besides,  an  entrenchment  at  the  top,  defended 
by  a  captain's  guard.  This  guard  was  easily  dispersed, 
and  the  troops  then  pulled  themselves  up  by  taking  hold 
of  the  boughs  and  stumps  of  the  trees,  and  of  the  projec- 
tions of  the  rocks. 

This  precipice  (which  may  be,  in  different  places,  from 
one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet  high)  is  still 
very  rude  and  rugged,  but  probably  much  less  so  than  in 
1759 ;  it  can  now  be  surmounted,  without  very  great  diffi- ' 
culty,  by  men  who  are  unmolested. 

Wolfe  staked  all  upon  a  very  hazardous  adventure ; 
had  he  been  discovered  prematurely,  through  a  spy,  a 
deserter,  or  an  alarmed  sentry,  his  army  would  have  been 
inevitably  lost ;  but,  having  gained  the  heights,  he  formed 
his  troops,  and  met  the  enemy  in  good  order. 

When  Montcalm  first  received  information  that  the 
English  occupied  the  heights  of  Abraham,  he  was  greatly 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  131 

surprised.  He  saw  that  a  battle  was  inevitable,  and  pre- 
pared to  fight.  The  French  advanced  briskly ;  the  Eng- 
lish reserved  their  fire  until  the  enemy  were  near,  and 
then  gave  it  with  decisive  effect.  Early  in  the  engage- 
ment, Wolfe  received  a  slight  wound  in  his  wrist,  but, 
binding  his  handkerchief  around  it,  he  continued  to  en- 
courage his  men. 

Soon  after  this,  he  received  another  in  his  groin.  This 
he  also  concealed,  and  continued  to  urge  on  his  troops, 
until  a  third  ball  pierced  his  breast,  which  obliged  him  to 
quit  the  command,  which  fell  on  Monckton.  He  was 
soon  wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  upon  Towns- 
hend.  At  this  moment,  Montcalm,  fighting  at  the  head 
of  his  men,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  General  Jenne- 
zergus,  his  second  in  command,  also  fell.  The  loss  of 
their  commanders  caused  the  French  to  give  way.  Wolfe, 
who  was  reclining  his  head  on  the  arm  of  an  officer,  was 
aroused  by  the  cry  of  "  they  fly — they  fly !"  the  hero 
eagerly  asked,  "  who  fly  ?"  being  informed  the  French 
were  routed,  "  then,"  said  he,  "  I  die  in  peace,"  and  ex- 
pired. 

This  death,  says  Professor  Stillman,  has  furnished  a 
grand  and  pathetic  subject  for  the  painter,  the  poet,  the 
historian,  and,  undoubtedly?  considered  as  a  mere  military 
glory,  it  is  one  of  the  most  sublime  that  the  annals  of  war 
afford.  In  five  days  after  the  battle  the  city  surrendered, 
and  received  an  English  garrison. 

In  September,  1760,  Montreal  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
English,  and,  soon  after,  all  the  French  posts  in  Canada 
fell  into  their  power.  Thus  ended  a  war  which  had  con- 
tinued six  years,  which  had  cost  many  thousand  lives, 
and  much  distress.  In  1763,  Nova  Scotia,  Canada,  the 
Isie  of  Cape  Breton,  and  all  other  islands  in  the  gulf,  and 
near  the  St.  Lawrence,  were  ceded  to  the  British  crown. 

REMARKS    ON    PART    SECOND. 

Manners  and  Customs. — The  rapid  increase  of  wealth 
began  to  introduce  among  the  colonies  the  tastes  and 
fashions  of  the  European  countries,  but  their  continuance 
was  short  among  the  Americans. 


132  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Religion. — The  Dntch  reformed  religion  generally  pre- 
vailed in  New- York ;  during  this  period,  Shakers  and 
Friends  arrived  in  America.  During  the  French  and 
Indian  war,  infidelity  was  introduced  into  the  army  by 
the  English  officers  and  soldiers  who  came  into  this  coun- 
try, and  from  the  army  it  spread  through  society  gene- 
rally.— Population,  2,500,000. 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES. 


FART  THIRD. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A  Summary  View  of  the  Causes  that  led  to  the  American 
Revolution. 

ALTHOUGH  the  narrow  and  illiberal  policy  of  the  British 
government  towards  her  North  American  colonies,  from 
their  first  settlement,  was  calculated  to  alienate  the  affec- 
tions of  the  colonies  from  the  parent  country ;  yet  from 
their  exposed  situation,  and  habitual  loyalty,  this  unworthy 
conduct,  long  persevered  in,  produced  no  sensible  impres- 
sion on  the  Americans  ;  their  loyalty  and  attachment  to 
the  interest  of  Britain  were  not  in  the  smallest  degree  im- 
paired, down  to  the  period  of  the  peace  of  Paris,  in  1763. 
Never  had  they  shown  so  much  zeal,  or  made  such  great 
sacrifices  in  the  cause  of  their  country,  as  during  the  pre- 
ceding war  ;  having  lost  more  than  twenty-five  thousand 
men,  expended  all  the  revenues  they  could  raise,  and  in- 
volved themselves  deeply  in  debt. 

Almost  the  whole  burdens  of  the  war  in  America,  had 
fallen  on  the  colonies  ;  and  their  exertions  were  altoge- 
ther disproportionate  to  their  means,  and  tended  greatly 
to  impoverish  and  distress  them.  After  eight  years'  ardu- 
ous struggles,  attended  with  the  greatest  sacrifices,  the 
successful  termination  of  the  war — the  dominion  of  France 
in  America  being  relinquished  forever — occasioned  uni- 
versal foy  throughout  the  colonies  ;  they  forgot  their  suf- 

12 


134  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ferings  and  distresses,  in  the  fair  prospects  which  the 
peace  afforded. 

But  these  prospects  were  of  short  duration  ;  the  peace 
of  Paris  formed  a  new  era  in  the  views  and  conduct  of 
Great  Britain  towards  her  colonies  in  America.  The  pos- 
sessions of  France,  in  America,  having  been  ceded  to 
Britain,  and  having  no  longer  any  fear  of  her  power  in 
this  hemisphere,  a  system  of  measures  was  pursued  to- 
wards the  colonies,  originating  in  jealousy,  and  tending  to 
despotism.  As  soon  as  the  colonies  had  fought  their  way 
to  a  condition  which  afforded  the  prospect  of  rapidly  in- 
creasing in  population  and  wealth,  attempts  were  made 
to  restrict  their  commercial  and  political  privileges,  and 
gradually  to  reduce  them  to  the  most  wretched  state  of 
colonial  vassalage. 

For  a  century  and  a  half,  the  colonies  had  been  left  to 
themselves  as  to  taxation  ;  their  own  local  assemblies  had 
provided  the  necessary  revenues  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  their  governments  ;  and  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain 
had  neither  directly  nor  indirectly  ever  attempted  to  de- 
rive a  dollar  of  revenue  from  America;  although  various 
acts  had  from  time  to  time  been  passed,  regulating  the 
trade  and  commerce  of  the  colonies,  yet  none  of  these 
were  designed  or  regarded,  either  in  Britain  or  America, 
as  revenue  laws. 

But  in  an  inauspicious  moment,  the  British  ministry 
conceived  the  idea  of  taxing  the  colonies,  under  the  pre- 
tence of  providing  for  their  protection,  but  in  reality  to 
relieve  the  nation  from  the  immense  debt,  the  weight  of 
which  hung  heavily  upon  it.  This  iniquitous  scheme, 
originating  with  the  cabinet,  was  easily  introduced  into 
parliament ;  and  in  March,  1764,  as  a  prelude  to  the  me- 
morable Stamp  Act,  the  house  of  commons  resolved : 

"  That  towards  further  defraying  the  necessary  expen- 
ses of  protecting  the  colonies,  it  may  be  necessary  to  charge 
certain  stamp  duties  upon  them ;"  and  this  resolution  was 
followed  by  what  was  commonly  called  the  Sugar  Act, 
passed  on  the  5th  of  April,  and  introduced  by  the  follow- 
ing truly  alarming  preamble  : — "  Whereas  it  is  just  and 
necessary  that  a  revenue  be  raised  in  America,  for  de- 
fraying the  expenses  of  defending,  protecting,  and  secu- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  135 

ring  the  same ;  we,  the  commons,  &c.  towards  raising 
the  same,  give  and  grant  unto  your  majesty,  after  the 
29th  day  of  September,  1764,  on  clayed  sugar,  indigo, 
and  coffee,  of  foreign  produce,  [and  various  other  articles,] 
the  sum  of,"  &c.  This  was  the  first  act  adopted  by  par- 
liament, for  the  avowed  object  of  raising  a  revenue  in  the 
colonies. 

The  justice  of  this  measure,  which  appeared  so  clear 
to  the  British  parliament,  was  regarded  in  America  as 
oppression  and  tyranny,  and  occasioned  great  excitement 
and  alarm.  The  deceptive  pretension,  that  the  revenue 
was  to  be  raised  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  colo- 
nies, was  only  adding  insult  to  injustice ;  as  the  colonies 
supposed  that  they  were  capable  of  protecting  themselves, 
and  they  apprehended  that  the  object  was  rather  under 
the  pretence  of  affording  them  protection,  to  maintain  a 
military  force  in  America,  for  the  purpose  of  dragooning 
them  into  submission,  and  enforcing  an  unconstitutional 
system  of  taxation ;  thereby  rendering  them  the  instru- 
ments of  forging  their  own  chains. 

This  act  was  rendered  more  disgusting  by  a  provision 
that  the  money  raised  by  it  must  be  paid  in  specie,  and 
another,  that  those  charged  with  having  violated  the  re- 
venue laws,  might  be  prosecuted  in  the  courts  of  admi- 
ralty ;  whereby  they  were  deprived  of  the  privilege  of 
trial  by  a  jury,  and  were  liable  to  be  condemned  by  .a  sin- 
gle officer  of  the  crown,  whose  salary  was  to  be  paid  from 
the  very  forfeitures  decreed  by  himself.  And  this  was 
not  all,  or  even  the  worst ;  as  the  trial  was  conducted  on 
such  principles,  that  the  accused,  contrary  to  the  well 
known  maxims  of  the  common  law,  and  repugnant  to 
every  idea  of  justice,  was  obliged  to  prove  himself  inno- 
cent, or  suffer  the  penalties  of  the  law.  These  iniquitous 
proceedings  destroyed  all  security  of  property,  and  left 
every  one  at  the  mercy  of  the  minions  of  the  British 
crown.  Their  pernicious  influence  was  soon  felt  exten- 
sively in  the  colonies ;  they  no  longer  regarded  Great  Bri- 
tain as  an  affectionate  mother,  but  viewed  her  in  the  light 
of  a  selfish,  cruel,  and  imperious  step-mother. 

The  designs  of  the  ministry  were  penetrated,  and  oc- 
casioned great  alarm,  which  spread  wider  and  wider,  until 


136  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

it  became  universal.  The  press,  that  great  engine  of 
truth  and  liberty,  was  called  into  requisition ;  the  subject 
was  ably  and  elaborately  discussed,  and  the  more  it  was 
discussed,  and  the  better  it  was  understood,  the  more 
strong  and  determined  the  opposition  became.  All  the 
colonies  petitioned  and  remonstrated  against  these  ob- 
noxious measures,  and  most  of  them  appointed  agents  to 
present  their  memorials  to  parliament,  or  the  king. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  opposition  and  excitement  in 
America,  and  the  remonstrances  of  the  colonies,  Mr. 
Grenville,  who  was  at  the  head  of  the  treasury,  prepared 
the  stamp  bill,  and  introduced  it  into  parliament  in  Febru- 
ary, 1765;  and,  although  opposed  with  all  the  powers  of 
eloquence,  by  Alderman  Beckford,  Mr.  Jackson,  Colonel 
Barre,  Sir  William  Meredith,  and  others,  it  was  adopted 
by  a  great  majority,  fifty  only  voting  in  opposition,  out  of 
about  three  hundred  members  who  were  present. 

On  the  second  reading  of  the  bill,  various  petitions,  not 
only  from  the  colonies,  but  from  the  London  merchants 
interested  in  the  American  trade,  were  presented;  but 
the  petitions  were  not  even  received,  being  refused,  on 
the  plea  that  no  memorial  could  be  received  on  a  money 
bill.  Having  passed  both  houses  of  parliament,  on  the 
22d  of  March,  the  stamp  act  received  the  royal  assent. 
Dr.  Franklin,  then  in  England,  as  agent  for  Pennsylva- 
nia, wrote  to  Charles  Thompson,  afterwards  secretary  of 
congress — "  The  sun  of  liberty  is  set ;  you  must  light  up 
the  lamps  of  industry  and  economy."  Mr.  Thompson, 
in  a  spirited  reply,  observed,  "  That  he  thought  other 
lights  would  be  lighted  up  to  resist  these  unconstitutional 
measures."  It  is  unnecessary  to  add,  that  this  prediction 
was  soon  fulfilled. 

This  unjust  and  impolitic  act  was  the  first  great  cause 
which  led  to  the  American  revolution ;  indeed,  it  was  sub- 
stantially the  first  scene  in  the  bloody  drama  of  that  revo- 
lution. It  was  passed  in  parliament,  on  the  7th  of  Fe- 
bruary, 1765,  under  the  ministry  of  Lord  Grenville,  and 
was  repealed  on  the  18th  of  March,  1766,  from  the  influ- 
ence of  Mr.  Pitt.  This  period  of  thirteen  months  was 
the  most  eventful  and  tumultuous  of  any  which  had 
hitherto  occurred  ;  the  apprehensions  of  the  people  were 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  137 

roused  to  the  highest  pitch,  and  the  most  determined  spi- 
rit of  opposition  prevailed  throughout  the  colonies. 

The  Americans  had  not  believed  that  the  act  would  be 
passed,  and  on  receiving  the  intelligence,  every  one  was 
struck  with  astonishment,  and  filled  with  consternation  ; 
they  looked  at  each  other  with  amazement,  and,  for  a 
short  interval,  hesitated  what  course  to  pursue  ;  but  soon 
recovering  from  their  consternation,  they  determined  not 
to  submit  to  such  a  flagrant  outrage  on  their  rights.  In 
Boston,  the  ships  in  the  harbour,  in  token  of  the  deepest 
mourning,  suspended  their  colours  half  mast  high ;  the 
bells  were  wrung  muffled  ;  and  the  obnoxious  act,  with  a 
death's  head  in  front  of  it,  with  the  motto — "  The  folly  of 
England,  and  the  ruin  of  America"  was  carried  in 
solemn  procession  about  the  streets. 

The  discontents  soon  spread  throughout  the  colonies, 
and  the  opposition  became  general  and  determined  ;  the 
spirit  of  the  people  gave  a  tone  to  the  colonial  assem- 
blies, and  bold  and  decided  resolutions  were  adopted 
against  the  iniquitous  scheme  of  parliamentary  taxation. 
Virginia  took  the  lead,  and  on  the  28th  of  May,  1765, 
Patrick  Henry  introduced  his  celebrated  resolutions  into 
the  house  of  burgesses,  which  declared  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  that  colony  were  entitled  to,  and  had  possessed 
and  enjoyed,  all  the  rights,  liberties,  and  privileges,  of 
the  people  of  Great  Britain ;  that  the  general  assembly  of 
the  colony  had  always  exercised,  and  alone  possessed,  the 
power  to  levy  taxes  and  imposts  on  the  inhabitants  of 
the  colony,  and  that  they  "  were  not  bound  to  yield  obe- 
dience to  any  law  or  ordinance  whatsoever,  designed  to 
impose  any  taxation  whatever  upon  them,  other  than  the 
law  and  ordinances  of  the  general  assembly."  So  bold 
and  unexpected  were  these  resolutions,  that  whilst  they 
were  reading,  one  of  the  members  cried  out  "  treason  ! 
treason !" 

These  resolutions  were  communicated  to  all  the  colo- 
nies, and  the  spirit  they  breathed  spread  from  one  legis- 
lature to  another,  and  their  sentiments  were  reiterated  in 
resolutions  adopted  by  the  legislatures,  and  the  freemen 
in  public  meetings.  Committees  were  appointed,  by  the 


138  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

assemblies  of  the  colonies,  to  correspond  with  each  other, 
and  to  meet  for  consultation ;  the  object  of  which  was  to 
secure  harmony  of  feeling  and  concert  of  action.  These 
measures  had  a  very  happy  effect ;  in  the  mean  time,  the 
press  teemed  with  constant  publications,  vindicating  the 
rights  of  the  colonies ;  and  many  of  them  were  of  a 
highly  inflammatory  character,  calculated  to  raise  the 
public  mind  to  the  highest  pitch.  The  pulpit,  also,  parti- 
cularly in  New-England,  laboured  in  the  same  cause,  with 
great  zeal  and  effect ;  the  flame  of  liberty  kindled  from 
breast  to  breast,  and  spread  from  provinca  to  province, 
until  the  conflagration  became  general.  The  spirit  of 
opposition  ran  so  high,  as  to  break  out  into  acts  of  tumult 
and  disorder. 

In  Boston,  the  effigy  of  Mr.  Oliver,  the  stamp  master, 
was  burnt,  and  his  house  assailed,  partly  demolished,  and 
his  furniture  destroyed;  and  soon  after,  the  house  of 
William  Storer,  deputy-register  of  the  court  of  admi- 
ralty, was  attacked,  and  the  books  and  files  of  the  court 
destroyed  ;  and  the  house  of  Benjamin  Hallowell,  comp- 
troller of  the  customs,  shared  the  same  fate.  These  out- 
rages were  followed  by  a  more  bold  and  daring  attack 
upon  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Hutchinson,  lieutenant-gover- 
nor of  the  province  ;  he  was  obliged  to  flee  to  save  his 
life,  and  his  house  was  entirely  demolished,  except  the 
walls,  and  every  thing  in  it  destroyed  or  carried  oft'.  Si- 
milar outrages  were  committed  in  other  places. 

In  Connecticut,  Mr.  Ingersoll,  the  stamp  officer,  was 
burnt  in  effigy  in  many  towns  ;  and  whilst  he  was  pro- 
ceeding from  New-Haven  to  Hartford,  where  the  assem- 
bly was  in  session,  he  was  pursued  and  overtaken  by  a 
large  concourse  of  people,  some  from  more  than  thirty 
miles,  and  compelled  to  resign  his  office,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  three  hearty  cheers  of  liberty  and  property. 
This  took  place  at  Weathersfield,  from  whence  the  peo- 
ple, who  were  headed  by  militia  officers,  proceeded  to 
Hartford,  where  Mr.  Ingersoll  was  compelled  to  read  his 
resignation  in  the  hearing  of  the  assembly,  which  was 
succeeded  by  loud  acclamations  of  liberty  and  property. 
In  New- York,  the  stamp  officer  was  compelled  to  resign, 
and  Lieutenant-Governor  Golden  was  burnt  in  effigy, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  139 

with  a  stamp  bill  in  his  hand,  suspended  from  his  own 
coach,  and  the  whole  was  consumed  together. 

In  the  southern  colonies,  the  public  feeling  did  not  lead 
to  the  same  excesses ;  but  in  all  of  them,  means  were 
found  to  compel  the  stamp  officers  to  resign ;  and  in  all 
the  colonies  the  assemblies  adopted  resolutions  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  stamp  act,  although,  in  many  of  them,  the 
royal  governors  prorogued  and  attempted  to  stop  their 
proceedings.  The  members  of  the  colonial  assemblies 
were  animated  and  encouraged  by  the  people,  who,  in 
most  of  the  towns,  instructed  them  to  oppose  the  stamp 
act.  But  the  most  important  measure  to  unite  the  colo- 
nies, and  give  energy  and  effect  to  their  opposition,  was 
convening  a  continental  congress,  consisting  of  deputies 
appointed  by  each  colony.  This  measure  was  first  pro- 
posed by  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts.  The  meeting 
was  appointed  to  be  holden  in  New- York,  in  October,  1765. 

All  the  colonies,  except  New-Hampshire,  Virginia, 
North  Carolina,  and  Georgia,  sent  deputies  ;  the  three  last 
of  these  colonies  were  prevented  by  their  governors,  and 
the  first  excused  itself  on  account  of  its  peculiar  situa- 
tion. The  congress,  after  mature  deliberation,  adopted 
a  declaration  of  rights,  and  a  statement  of  the  grievances 
of  the  colonies,  and  asserted,  in  the  strongest  terms,  their 
exemption  from  all  taxes  not  imposed  by  their  own  re- 
presentatives. It  also  prepared  a  petition  to  the  house  of 
commons. 

As  the  first  of  November,  the  time  when  the  stamp  act 
was  to  go  into  operation,  approached,  public  feeling  be- 
came still  stronger,  and  was  excited  to  the  utmost  to  pre- 
vent the  execution  of  the  law.  In  New-York,  ten  boxes 
of  stamps,  which  had  arrived  there  for  Connecticut,  were 
seized  by  the  populace  and  burned ;  and  in  other  ports, 
the  masters  of  vessels,  which  brought  out  stamps,  were 
compelled  to  return  with  their  detestable  cargoes,  or  deli- 
ver them  up  to  the  people  to  be  destroyed.  In  Boston  and 
many  of  the  principal  towns,  the  first  of-  November  was 
kept  as  a  day  of  mourning  and  deep  distress ;  all  the 
shops  were  shut,  the  bells  were  tolled  muffled,  and  the 
effigies  of  the  authors  and  abettors  of  the  act  were  car* 


140  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ried  in  procession  through  the  streets,  and  then  torn  to 
pieces,  and  consumed  by  the  flames. 

The  lawyers  of  the  supreme  court  in  New- Jersey,  re- 
solved that  they  would  not  purchase  the  stamps  in  their 
professional  business,  and  that  they  would  relinquish  their 
practice  as  a  sacrifice  to  the  public  good  ;  and  the  princi- 
pal merchants  in  the  colonies,  and  great  numbers  of  other 
classes  of  the  inhabitants,  entered  into  solemn  engage- 
ments not  only  to  refuse  to  use  the  stamps,  but  also  not 
to  import  any  more  goods  from  Great  Britain  until  the 
stamp  act  should  be  repealed.  Associations  were  formed, 
called  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty,"  the  object  of  which  was, 
to  assist  and  protect  with  force,  if  necessary,  every  one 
who  might  be  in  danger  from  his  resistance  or  opposition 
to  the  stamp  act.  This  bold  association  originated  in 
New- York,  and  prevailed  throughout  New-England,  and, 
had  not  the  act  been  repealed,  must  have  led  to  civil 
war. 

The  restrictive  measures  produced  distress  and  tumults 
in  England ;  large  numbers  of  the  manufacturers  being 
thrown  out  of  employment,  and  more  than  forty  thousand, 
with  black  flags,  appeared  in  the  streets  in  London,  and 
surrounded  the  royal  palace  and  parliament  house.  For- 
tunately a  change  of  ministry  took  place,  in  consequence 
of  what  was  called  the  regency  bill,  and  Lord  Grenville 
was  succeeded  by  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham,  as  first 
lord  of  the  treasury,  and  the  Duke  of  Grafton  and  Gene- 
ral Conway  were  appointed  secretaries  of  state. 

In  January,  the  parliament  met ;  the  affairs  of  America 
occupied  the  principal  attention,  and  the  first  talents  of 
the  house  were  engaged  in  the  discussion.  Mr.  Pitt,  who 
had  been  confined  to  his  bed  by  sickness,  when  the  stamp 
act  was  passed,  now  came  forward  as  the  great  champion 
of  the  rights  of  the  Americans,  and  with  his  manly  and 
all  powerful  eloquence,  opposed  the  unjust,  unconstitu- 
tional, and  dangerous  measure ;  he  even  justified  the 
Americans  in  their  resistance  of  an  act  of  tyranny  and 
oppression.  After  a  long  and  animated  discussion,  the 
act  was  repealed,  accompanied,  however,  with  a  declara- 
tion, "  that  the  king  and  parliament  had,  and  of  right 
ought  to  have,  full  power  and  authority  to  make  laws  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  141 

statutes  of  sufficient  force  to  bind  the  colonies,  and  his 
majesty's  subjects  in  them,  in  all  cases  whatever."  An 
act  of  indemnity  was  also  passed. 

The  repeal  of  the  obnoxious  act  occasioned  universal 
joy,  both  in  Great  Britain  and  America ;  the  ships  in  the 
Thames  displayed  their  colours,  and  the  whole  city  of 
London  was  illuminated ;  and  in  the  colonies,  notwith- 
standing the  declaratory  act,  asserting  the  principle  of  tax- 
ation, the  joy  and  rejoicings  were  universal ;  the  non-im- 
portation resolutions  were  rescinded ;  animosities,  ill 
treatment,  and  every  thing  past,  were  forgotten,  and  com- 
mercial intercourse  with  Great  Britain,  was  resumed  with 
greater  activity  than  ever  before  had  been  witnessed.  The 
colonies  hoped  and  believed,  that  harmony  would  now  be 
restored,  and  did  every  thing  in  their  power  to  promote 
this  desirable  object. 

But  the  officers  of  the  crown,  the  minions  of  power, 
and  the  expectants  of  place,  kept  up  a  correspondence 
with  the  officers  of  the  British  government  at  home,  and 
attempted  to  promote  their  own  selfish  views  by  misre- 
presenting their  countrymen.  Governor  Bernard,  of 
Massachusetts,  was  the  head  of  this  party,  which  contri- 
buted so  much  to  breed  difficulties,  and  bring  matters  to  a 
crisis.  Notwithstanding  that  the  declaratory  act  still 
hung  over  the  heads  of  the  colonies,  like  a  portentous 
cloud,  it  was  not  generally  expected  that  the  British  go- 
vernment would  very  soon  make  another  so  dangerous  an 
experiment.  But  these  reasonable  expectations,  however, 
soon  proved  to  be  fallacious,  and  all  reliance  on  the  justice 
or  liberality  of  Britain,  was  found  to  be  deceptive  and 
dangerous. 

Notwithstanding  the  distraction  into  which  the  colonies 
had  been  thrown,  by  the  stamp  act,  within  a  few  months 
after  its  repeal,  and  before  the  wounds  it  had  occasioned 
had  had  time  to  heal,  the  chancellor  of  the  exchequer, 
Charles  Townshend,  came  forward  with  a  new  scheme  of 
taxing  America,  and  was  so  sanguine  in  his  views,  that  he 
pledged  his  character  for  the  success  of  the  project.  The 
new  revenue  scheme  was,  to  take  off  the  duties  on  teas 
which  were  paid  in  Great  Britain,  and  to  levy  three  pence 


142  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

per  pound  on  all  that  was  purchased  in  America,  and  also 
a  duty  on  paper,  glass,  and  several  other  articles. 

A  board  of  customs  was  established,  and  commission- 
ers appointed  to  set  in  Boston  to  collect  the  duties ;  and 
the  custom  officers  were  to  be  paid  from  the  revenue  thus 
raised ;  and  the  governor,  judges  of  the  superior  court, 
and  other  officers  in  Massachusetts,  who  had  hitherto 
been  dependant  for  their  salaries  on  the  assembly,  /Lo  ren- 
der them  independent  of  the  people,  and  more  devoted  to 
Great  Britain,  were  also  to  be  paid  from  these  revenues 
And  to  carry  the  iniquitous  system  into  effect  (as  unjust 
laws  can  only  be  enforced  by  unjust  means)  the  powers  ol 
the  court  of  admiralty  were  greatly  extended,  so  as  to  de 

Erive  the  people  of  trial  by  jury  in  prosecutions  for  vio- 
iting  the  revenue  laws.  Writs  of  assistance,  as  they 
were  called,  issued  by  the  governor,  or  any  officer  of  the 
revenue,  authorized  searching  the  house  of  the  most  re- 
spectable inhabitant  in  the  province,  on  suspicion  of  the 
concealment  of  contraband  or  smuggled  goods. 

When  intelligence  of  these  new  parliamentary  regula- 
tions reached  America,  they  occasioned  universal  asto- 
nishment, and  revived  all  the  excitement  and  alarm  which 
prevailed  during  the  stamp  act.  In  the  minds  of  reflect- 
ing men,  they  were  regarded  as  more  dangerous  than  that 
obnoxious  act,  as  an  indirect  and  disguised  system  of  tax- 
ation had  a  more  certain  and  fatal  tendency  to  undermine 
the  liberties,  and  enslave  the  people,  than  direct  taxes. 
The  colonies,  assailed  by  the  same  injuries,  had  recourse 
to  their  former  measures  of  complaint  and  supplication; 
but  their  petitions  were  not  even  read,  and  their  remon- 
strances treated  with  contempt,  thus  adding  insult  to  in- 
justice. 

These  accumulated  injuries  and  indignities  aroused  the 
fears  and  spirit  of  the  colonies ;  and  a  circular  letter,  ad- 
dressed to  the  other  colonies,  by  the  assembly  of  Massa- 
chusetts, contributed  to  diffuse  the  flame,  and  lead  to  con- 
cert of  action.  This  letter  was  dated  the  llth  of  Febru- 
ary, 1768,  and  the  sentiments  it  contained  were  reiterated 
by  most  of  the  colonial  assemblies.  From  the  bold  and 
determined  conduct  of  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts,  it 
was  prorogued  by  the  governor.  Another  assembly  was 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  143 

cozened  in  May  following,  to  which  the  governor,  in  his 
first  communication,  insolently  demanded  of  them,  as  re- 
quired by  the  British  secretary  of  state,  to  rescind  the 
resolutions  of  the  preceding  assembly,  which  led  to  the 
circular  letter,  and  intimated,  that  unless  they  complied 
immediately,  they  would  be  dissolved  at  once. 

But  the  assembly  acted  with  a  firmness  which  became 
the  defenders  of  liberty;  and,  instead  of  complying  with 
this  haughty  mandate,  petitioned  the  king  for  the  removal 
of  the  royal  governor,  and  charged  upon  him  a  long  cata- 
logue of  crimes.  The  governor,  exasperated  at  their 
conduct,  immediately  dissolved  the  mutinous  assembly, 
and  applied  to  the  commander  in  chief  of  the  king's 
troops,  then  in  New- York,  to  have  several  additional  re- 
giments sent  to  Boston.  Alarmed  at  these  circumstances, 
the  inhabitants  of  Boston  besought  the  governor  to  con- 
vene another  assembly  ;  but  he  treated  their  request  with 
contempt. 

The  crisis  required  something  to  be  done  without  de- 
lay, and,  accordingly,  letters  were  written  to  every  town 
in  the  colony,  requesting  the  appointment  of  delegates  to 
meet  in  convention  at  Boston,  before  the  arrival  of  the 
troops.  Delegates  from  ninety-six  towns  met  on  the  22d 
of  September.  The  governor  instantly  sent  them  an 
angry  message,  commanding  them  to  disperse,  threaten- 
ing, in  case  of  refusal,  that  they  would  suffer  the  conse- 
quence of  their  temerity.  The  convention,  however,  was 
not  frightened  into  submission,  but  gave  their  reasons  for 
convening,  continued  their  deliberations,  and  prepared  a 
petition  to  the  king. 

On  the  first  of  October,  the  troops  arrived,  and  landed; 
and,  sword  in  hand,  paraded  through  the  streets  of  Bos- 
ton, which  were  filled  with  vast  crowds,  who,  with  sullen 
silence,  denoting  the  deepest  resentment,  witnessed  this, 
the  first  act  in  the  great  and  bloody  drama  about  to  be 
performed.  No  tumult  or  resistance,  however,  ensued, 
notwithstanding  the  troops  were  quartered  in  the  houses 
of  the  inhabitants.  The  assembly  met  in  May,  1769,  and 
immediately  adopted  several  spirited  resolutions  ;  that  the 
placing  an  armed  force  where  the  legislature  was  con- 
vened, to  overawe  their  deliberations,  was  a  breach  of 


144  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

privilege,  and  that  the  quartering  of  troops  on  the  inl^i- 
tants  in  time  of  peace,  was  illegal,  and  a  violation  of  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  British  subjects. 

A  standing  army  was  now  stationed  in  the  capital  oi 
Massachusetts,  for  the  avowed  object  of  coercing  the  in- 
habitants into  submission;  their  commerce  fettered,  theii 
characters  traduced,  the  assembly  prevented  from  meet- 
ing, and  the  petitions  of  all  classes  to  have  the  assembly 
convened,  treated  with  contempt  by  an  insolent  governor, 
who  threatened  to  augment  the  troops,  and  enforce,  at  all 
hazards,  his  arbitrary  and  tyrannical  measures,  it  cannot 
be  surprising  that  the  fears  and  exasperations  of  the  peo- 
ple exceeded  what  had  ever  been  witnessed  before.  At 
this  alarming  conjuncture,  something  must  be  done,  and 
there  was  no  other  alternative  but  submission  or  resist- 
ance, as  petitions  had  been  treated  with  such  contempt, 
that  to  memorialize  any  branch  of  the  British  government 
would  be  equivalent  to  submission ;  and  there  were  but 
two  ways  of  resistance,  either  an  appeal  to  the  sword,  or 
an  entire  suspension  of  all  commercial  intercourse  with 
Great  Britain,  which,  as  was  said  by  Mr.  Pitt  in  his 
speech,  furnished  the  means  whereby  Britain  had  carried 
on  the  war  with  France,  and  which,  if  continued,  would 
afford  the  means  of  their  own  oppression. 

As  all  the  colonies  were  involved  in  one  common  dan- 
ger, they  readily  entered  into  the  most  solemn  engage- 
ments, that  no  British,  or  India  goods,  should  be  imported, 
except  a  few  specified  articles  of  necessary  use.  The 
effects  of  these  arrangements  were  soon  felt  in  England, 
and  produced  clamours,  and  even  tumults,  in  some  parts 
of  the  kingdom.  But  the  partizans  of  the  crown  in  Ame- 
rica, endeavoured,  by  their  correspondence,  to  induce  the 
ministry  to  persevere  in  their  oppressive  measures,  and 
represented  in  the  strongest  'terms,  that  the  interruption 
of  commerce  was  only  an  effort  of  desperation,  which 
could  not  last  long.  They  advised  the  ministry  to  pur- 
chase large  quantities  of  goods,  designed  for  the  American 
market,  and  also  to  allow  trie  merchants  engaged  in  the 
American  trade,  a  premium  equal  to  the  profits  of  their 
stock  in  business.  "  If  these  measures  are  adopted," 
said  Mr.  Oliver,  secretary  in  Massachusetts,  in  one  of  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  145 

letters,  "  the  game  will  soon  be   up  with  my  country- 
men" 

The  assembly  which  convened  at  Boston  in  May,  set 
several  weeks  without  doing  any  business,  as  they  refused 
to  act  as  long  as  an  armed  force  was  quartered  in  the 
town,  and  surrounded  the  house  where  they  were  in  ses- 
sion ;  they  were  finally  adjourned  to  Cambridge.  They 
sent  several  messages  to  the  governor  to  have  the  troops 
removed,  but,  after  evading  the  matter  for  some  time,  he 
declared  that  he  had  no  authority  over  the  king's  troops  ; 
thus  admitting  that  the  military  was  above  the  civil  power 
in  the  province.  Governor  Bernard  sent  a  provoking 
message,  stating  the  expenditures  of  quartering  the  troops 
on  the  town,  and  requesting  that  provision  be  made  for 
the  same,  and  also  for  their  future  support;  the  assembly 
were  thus  called  on  to  maintain  the  instruments  by  which 
they  were  to  be  oppressed  and  enslaved. 

But  instead  of  complying  with  this  request,  they  passed 
several  spirited  resolutions,  censuring  the  conduct  of  the 
governor  and  General  Gage,  for  their  rash  and  oppressive 
measures,  their  wanton  violations  of  the  constitution,  the 
introduction  of  a  standing  army  in  time  of  peace,  and 
their  encroachments  on  the  liberties  of  the  citizens  and  of 
the  province.  The  governor  had  received  an  order  to  re- 
pair to  England,  and  lay  before  the  king  the  state  of  the 
colony,  which  he  communicated  to  the  assembly,  with  a 
request  that  his  salary  might  be  continued  during  his  ab- 
sence, as  his  office  would  remain. 

But  the  assembly  informed  him  in  decided  terms,  that 
they  could  not  comply  with  either  of  his  requests.  On 
receiving  this  answer,  he  immediately,  after  a  short,  an- 
gry, and  threatening  speech,  prorogued  the  legislature. 
He  soon  after  set  sail  for  Europe,  then  little  thinking  that 
he  should  never  return  to  a  country,  that  by  his  violent 
temper  and  arbitrary  conduct,  he  had  brought  to  the  brink 
of  civil  war.  His  reception  at  court  convinced  the  Ame- 
ricans of  the  truth  of  what  they  feared,  that  the  gover- 
nor had  been  sent  for  as  a  mischievous  emissary,  rather 
than  for  an  impartial  inquiry  into  the  real  situation  of  the 
province,  or  an  investigation  of  his  own  conduct. 

Thomas  Hutchinson,  the  lieutenant-governor  was  f»p« 
13 


146  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

pointed  to  succeed  Governor  Bernard.  Hutchinson 
a  native  of  Boston,  and  had  run  a  career  of  popularity , 
whilst,  however,  he  was  courting  the  people  at  home,  he 
was  not  less  assiduous  in  ingratiating  himself  into  the  fa- 
vour of  the  British  government,  by  misrepresenting  his 
countrymen.  He  was  artful  and  plausible,  and  possessed 
of  popular  talents ;  but  was  insidious,  dark,  intriguing 
and  ambitious ;  and  the  extreme  of  avarice  marked  every 
feature  of  his  character.  His  appointment  was  announ- 
ced at  the  close  of  the  year  1769. 

He  immediately  assumed  a  more  haughty  tone,  and 
aimed  at  more  high  handed  measures  than  his  predeces- 
sor, and  commenced  his  administration  by  informing  the 
assembly  that  he  was  independent  of  them  and  the  peo- 
ple, as  his  majesty  had  made  provision  for  his  salary.  Se- 
cure of  the  favour  of  his  sovereign,  he  treated  the  peo- 
ple and  the  assembly  with  contempt,  and  answered  their 
repeated  solicitations  to  remove  the  troops  from  the  capi- 
tal, by  withdrawing  the  garrison  from  a  strong  fortress  in 
the  harbour  of  Boston,  who  were  in  the  pay  of  the  pro- 
vince, and  replacing  them  by  two  regiments  of  the  king's 
troops. 

The  ebullitions  of  popular  feeling  were  so  high  as  to 
occasion  great  alarm  with  the  leading  patriots,  that  it 
would  break  out  into  acts  of  violence,  which  might  in- 
jure the  cause  of  the  people.  The  miserable  minions  of 
power  in  America,  endeavoured  to  promote  this  result, 
and  openly  avowed,  "  that  the  only  method  to  restore 
tranquillity,  was  to  take  off  the  original  incendiaries, 
whose  writing  had  instilled  the  poison  of  sedition  into  the 
people."  James  Otis,  the  most  active,  bold,  and  influen- 
tial patriot  of  the  day,  having  published,  under  his  proper 
signature,  some  severe  strictures  on  the  conduct  of  the 
officers  of  the  crown,  was  assaulted  in  a  public  room,  by 
a  band  of  hired  ruffians,  with  swords  andbludge-ons,  and 
being  covered  with  wounds,  was  left  for  dead.  The  as- 
sassins made  their  escape,  and  took  refuge  on  board  the 
king's  ships  in  the  harbour.  Mr.  Otis  survived,  but  the  . 
lamp  of  his  understanding,  which  had  glowed  with  such 
effulgence,  was  overcast  with  clouds  and  darkness.  Mr. 
Tohn  Adams  says,  that  he  "laid  the  foundation  of  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  147 

American  revolution,  with  an  energy,  and  with  those 
masterly  talents,  which  no  other  man  possessed  ;"  and  he 
is  justly  considered  as  the  first  martyr  to  American  li- 
berty. 

The  insults  which  the  inhabitants  constantly  experi 
enced  from  the  soldiers,  increased  their  animosity  towards 
them  to  such  a  degree,  as  to  lead  to  violence  and  blood- 
shed. On  the  second  of  March,  1770,  an  affray  took 
place  between  a  party  of  soldiers  of  the  29th  regiment, 
and  some  rope-makers,  in  front  of  Mr.  Gray's  rope-walk. 
This  was  followed  by  a  more  alarming  outrage  on  the 
5th  ;  the  indignant  populace  pressed  upon  and  insulted 
the  soldiers,  while  under  arms,  and  assailed  them  with 
clubs,  sticks,  and  snow-balls  covering  stones.  Being  dared 
to  fire  by  the  mob,  six  of  the  soldiers  discharged  their 
muskets,  which  killed  three  of  the  citizens,  and  wound- 
ed five  others. 

The  effect  of  this  was  electric ;  the  town  was  instantly 
in  commotion,  and  the  mass  of  the  people  were  so  exas- 
pe^ated,  that  it  required  the  utmost  exertions  to  prevent 
their  rallying  and  driving  the  British  myrmidons  out  of 
town  ;  and  nothing  but  an  assurance  that  the  troops  should 
be  withdrawn,  prevented  this  resort  to  force.  The  cap- 
tain of  the  party  and  eight  men  were  brought  to  trial ; 
two  of  the  men  were  found  guilty ;  the  captain  and  the 
other  men  were  acquitted.  A  general  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  was  immediately  assembled  in  Fanueil  Hall, 
who  unanimously  resolved,  that  no  armed  force  should 
be  suffered  longer  to  reside  in  the  capital;  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  wait  on  the  governor,  and  re- 
quest the  immediate  removal  of  the  troops.  The  go- 
vernor refused  to  act,  under  pretence  of  want  of  autho- 
rity; but  Colonel  Dalrymple,  alarmed  at  the  state  of 
things,  proposed  to  withdraw  the  29th  regiment,  which 
was  more  culpable  than  any  other ;  but  he  was  informed 
that  not  a  soldier  should  be  left  in  town ;  he  was  reluc- 
tantly compelled  to  comply,  and  within  four  days  not  a 
Red-coat  remained. 

This  tragical  affair  produced  the  deepest  impressions 
on  the  minds  of  the  people  ;  and  the  anniversary  of  the 
massacre  of  the  5th  of  March,  1770,  was  commemorated 


148  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

for  many  years,  and  orations  delivered,  which  unfolded 
the  blessings  of  civil  liberty,  the  horrors  of  slavery,  the 
dangers  of  standing  armies,  and  the  rights  of  the  colonies. 
These  annual  orations  administered  fuel  to  the  fire  of  liber- 
ty, and  kept  it  burning  with  an  incessant  flame,  and  in  nc 
small  degree  promoted  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  in  a 
manner  that  served  to  give  a  deeper  glow  to  the  flame  of 
liberty.  In  the  spring  of  1773,  the  schooner  Gaspee  was 
stationed  at  Providence,  to  prevent  smuggling ;  and  the 
conduct  of  the  commander  having  exasperated  the  inha- 
bitants, two  hundred  men  entered  on  board  the  schooner 
at  night,  and  compelled  the  captain  and  crew  to  go  ashore, 
and  then  set  fire  to  the  vessel. 

The  government  offered  a  reward  of  five  hundred  pounds, 
for  the  apprehension  of  any  of  the  persons  engaged  in 
this  outrage ;  but  such  was  the  spirit  and  unanimity  of  the 
people,  that  this  pecuniary  inducement  produced  no  effect, 
and  the  authors  of  the  outrage  could  not  be  discovered. 
About  this  period,  the  letters  of  Governor  Hutchinson  and 
Mr.  Oliver,  to  their  friends  in  England,  urging  the  govern- 
ment to  adopt  more  decisive  and  vigorous  measures,  to 
coerce  the  colonies  into  submission,  were  discovered  and 
sent  back  to  America,  by  Dr.  Franklin,  which,  being  pub- 
lished by  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts,  greatly  contri- 
buted to  inflame  the  public  mind,  and  exasperate  the  peo- 
ple against  these  officers  of  the  crown,  who  were  justly 
charged  with  having  shamefully  betrayed  their  trust,  and 
the  people,  whose  rights  it  was  their  duty  vigilantly  to 
guard. 

Whilst  the  other  duties  were  repealed,  that  on  tea  was 
retained,  for  the  sole  and  avowed  object  of  maintaining 
the  power,  which  piarliament  had  asserted,  of  collecting  a 
revenue  in  America.  The  ministerial  scheme  was  cun- 
ning and  artful ;  but  did  not,  in  the  least  degree,  deceive 
the  vigilance  of  the  Americans.  The  object  was  to  cheat 
the  colonies  out  of  their  rights,  by  collecting  an  indirect, 
imperceptible  duty,  little  more  than  nominal  in  amount, 
which,  however,  if  acquiesced  in,  would  have  been  an  ad- 
mission of  the  principle  or  yi  s^lit  of  Britain  to  raise  a  reve- 
nue in  America.  It  was  an  attempt  to  obtain,  covertly 
and  by  fraud,  what  they  had  attempted,  but  failed  to  ob- 
tain, openly  by  force. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  149 

In  the  first  place,  measures  were  adopted,  openly  and 
explicitly,  for  taxing  the  colonies,  the  duties  to  be  paid 
directly  by  the  consumer ;  but  being  unable  to  enforce 
this  act,  it  was  repealed,  accompanied  with  a  declaration 
of  the  right  of  parliament  to  tax  the  Americans,  in  all 
cases  whatsoever.  This  naked  assertion  of  a  right,  when 
the  application  of  it  had  been  attempted  and  abandoned, 
did  not  give  the  Americans  much  concern  ;  they  would 
not  have  cared,  if  the  British  had  kept  that  assertion  of  a 
right  to  do  wrong  on  their  statute-book,  as  long  as  the 
two  countries  existed,  provided  they  had  not  attempted  to 
exercise  their  assumed  right. 

But  the  advocates  of  American  taxation  seemed  to  be 
sensible,  that  the  bare  assertion  of  a  right,  after  an  unsuc- 
cessful attempt  to  enforce  it,  would  amount  to  but  little, 
and  that  conclusions,  obviously  following  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  first  attempt  to  tax  the  Americans,  would  be 
left  in  their  full  force.  Under  the  circumstances  in  which 
the  two  countries  were  placed,  therefore,  the  right  must 
oe  enforced,  or  it  must  be  considered  as  virtually  aban- 
doned. But  this  had  been  once  attempted  without  suc- 
cess ;  a  more  ingenious  mode,  therefore,  must  be  devised, 
or  one  less  likely  to  give  alarm  to  the  colonies.  The 
stamp  duties  were  a  direct  tax,  as  the  duty  constituted 
the  entire  value  of  the  sum  paid ;  but  a  trifling  impost 
would  not.  be  perceived,  as  the  duty  would  scarcely  make 
any  sensible  difference  in  the  price  of  the  article.  The 
bitter  pill  which  it  was  intended  to  make  the  6olonies 
swallow,  was  gilded  with  sugar. 

The  duty  was  more  artfully  disguised  than  a  single  im- 
post. It  was,  in  fact,  no  additional  burdefl  on  the  con- 
sumers of  tea,  it  being  only  a  different  mode  of  collecting 
the  duty  which  had  before  been  paid  ;  yet  this  alteration 
of  the  mode  involved  the  right  and  power  of  parliament 
to  establish  a  revenue  system  in  America.  According  to 
the  former  regulations,  the  teas  of  the  India  Company 
were  first  brought  to  England,  where  a  duty  was  paid  be- 
fore they  were  sent  to  the  colonies.  The  scheme  was 
merely  to  change  the  place  and  mode  ?f  collecting  the 
duty  ;  it  was  to  be  paid  in  America,  instead  of  England ; 
for  which  purpose  custom  regulations  w"ere  established, 


150  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  officers  appointed.  A  duty  of  three  pence  on  a  pound 
of  tea,  would  not  be  felt  by  the  people,  and  this,  or,  rather, 
a  greater  duty,  had  been  paid  before  in  England  ;  so  that, 
instead  of  the  burdens  of  the  people  being  increased,  they 
were  rather  lightened  by  this  new  regulation.  So  artfully 
disguised  was  this  scheme. 

It  is  a  maxim  with  many  politicians,  and  too  generally 
correct,  that  the  people  will  not  be  alarmed  or  excited  by 
aily  principle,  however  it  may  be  fraught  with  danger ; 
that  they  must  feel  and  suffer,  before  their  fears  will 
arouse  them  into  action.  But  this  maxim  did  not  hold 
true  with  the  Americans ;  they  saw  the  danger,  and  re- 
solved to  resist,  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives,  a  principle, 
calculated  to  undermine  the  foundation  of  their  liberty ; 
although  its  operation  at  the  time  was  not  felt  in  the 
slightest  degree.  The  resistance  of  the  Americans  to  the 
scheme  of  collecting  a  duty  on  tea  in  America,  instead  of 
England,  was  the  resistance  of  the  principle  which  that 
scheme  involved,  solely ;  as  no  additional  burden  was 
thereby  imposed  on  the  people. 

It  is  believed  that  this  is  the  only  instance  in  history,  of 
an  entire  people  being  roused  to  resistance,  from  measures 
which  were  not  burdensome  or  oppressive  in  their  imme- 
diate operations,  and  dangerous  only  from  a  principle  on 
which  they  were  founded.  This  consideration  affords  the 
highest  evidence  of  the  intelligence  of  the  Americans,  as 
well  as  of  their  extreme  jealousy  and  vigilance,  in  guard- 
ing their  rights.  That  the  experienced  politician  should 
foresee  the  ultimate  design  and  tendency  of  measures, 
not  immediately  oppressive,  is  natural  enough  ;  but  that 
the  common  people,  or  rather  the  entire  population  of  a 
country,  should  be  aroused  to  resistance,  on  account  of 
measures  not  burdensome  or  oppressive,  but  dangerous 
only  from  the  principle  on  which  they  were  founded,  is 
unparalleled. 

It  is  not,  however,  to  be  supposed,  that  the  colonists 
would  have  been  so  alarmed  and  aroused  to  such  a  spirit 
of  resistance,  by  the  new  regulations  as  to  tea,  had  it  not 
been  for  *the  previous  measures  of  the  parent  country, 
evincing,  in  the  clearest  manner,  a  settled  design  to  exer- 
cise the  power  of  taxation  over  them.  They  considered 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  151 

the  new  regulations  as  to  tea,  as  an  artful  and  disguised 
revenue  system,  although  it  imposed  no  additional  duty, 
and  they  were  determined  not  to  be  cheated  out  of  their 
liberties,  as  they  had  before  resolved  not  to  be  frightened 
out  of  them. 

Measures  were  immediately  adopted  to  prevent  the  in- 
troduction of  the  tea  into  the  country,  so  as  to  avoid  the 
payment  of  the  duty  ;  and  such  was  the  strength  and  una- 
nimity of  public  opinion,  that  without  the  aid  of  law,  or 
rather  in  opposition  to  law,  they  were  enabled  to  render 
their  measures  efficient,  solely  by  the  force  of  public  sen- 
timent, although  measures  of  all  others  the  most  difficult 
to  enforce,  as  interfering  both  with  the  interests  and  the 
established  habits  of  the  people. 

In  most  of  the  towns  from  New-Hampshire  to  Geor- 
gia, the  people  assembled,  and  resolved  to  discontinue  the 
use  of  tea,  which  was  now  regarded  as  an  herb  (however 
agreeable  as  a  beverage)  noxious  to  the  political  constitu- 
tion. In  the  large  commercial  towns,  regulations  were 
adopted  to  prevent  the  landing  of  tea ;  committees  were 
appointed  to  inspect  merchant's  books,  propose  tests,  and 
make  use  of  other  means  to  defeat  the  designs  of  Britain. 
Where  it  could  be  done,  the  consignees  of  the  teas  were 
persuaded  or  compelled  to  resign,  or  to  bind  themselves  not 
to  act  in  that  capacity.  The  cargo  sent  to  South  Caro- 
lina, was  stored,  the  consignees  being  constrained  to  en- 
ter into  an  engagement  not  to  offer  any  for  sale  ;  and  in 
many  of  the  colonies,  the  ships  were  compelled  to  return 
without  discharging  their  cargoes.  So  vigorously  were 
these  measures  enforced,  that  during  one  year  eighty-five 
pounds  was  the  whole  amount  of  duties  received. 

The  teas  consumed  in  the  colonies,  were  principally 
smuggled  into  the  country,  by  the  Dutch  and  French, 
who  were  favoured  by  the  inhabitants  in  evading  the  re- 
venue laws.  During  the  four  or  five  years  that  the  new 
system  had  been  in  existence,  very  trifling  quantities  of 
teas  had  been  introduced  into  the  colonies ;  and  instead 
of  the  restrictive  measures  being  relaxed  as  was  expected 
in  England,  they  increased  in  vigour  and  efficacy,  and  the 
quantity  of  tea  introduced  had  constantly  diminished. 

As  had  been  the  case  with  other  matters  of  difference 


152  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

between  the  two  countries,  the  principal  struggle,  grow- 
ing out  of  the  regulations  as  to  tea,  occurred  at  Boston. 
The  other  provinces  had  avoided  the  alternative  which 
was  reserved  for  this,  of  either  suffering  the  teas  to  be 
disposed  of,  or  to  destroy  them  by  violent  means. 
Knowing  the  spirit  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston,  the  In- 
dia Company  had  been  more  cautious  as  to  the  cargoes 
shipped  for  that  port,  than  those  sent  to  the  other  provin- 
ces :  and  the  zeal  of  Governor  Hutchinson,  and  the  other 
officers  of  the  crown  there,  greatly  surpassed  that  of 
the  crown  officers  in  the  other  colonies,  and  was  calcula- 
ted to  frustrate  the  measures  of  the  inhabitants.  The 
tea  ships  destined  to  Boston  were  all  consigned  to  the 
sons,  cousins,  and  persons  who  were  the  merest  tools  of 
Governor  Hutchinson.  When  called  on  to  resign,  the 
only  answer  they  would  give  was,  "  that  it  was  not  in 
their  power." 

As  the  consignees  could  not  be  induced  or  frightened  to 
resign,  the  next  plan  was,  to  compel  the  vessels  to  return 
without  landing  their  detestable  cargoes  ;  but  the  collect- 
or refused  to  give  a  clearance  without  the  vessels  were 
discharged  of  dutiable  articles,  and  the  governor  refused 
to  give  a  pass  for  the  vessels,  until  they  were  properly 
qualified  from  the  custom  house ;  and  to  guard  against 
the  vessels  being  taken  possession  of,  and  conducted  out 
of  the  harbour,  the  governor  ordered  Admiral  Montague, 
who  commanded  the  naval  force,  to  keep  a  vigilant  look 
out,  and  to  suffer  no  vessel,  coasters  excepted,  to  pass  the 
fortress  from  the  town,  without  a  pass  signed  by  himself. 
The  rigorous  adherence  to  these  measures,  afforded  great 
satisfaction  to  the  governor  and  his  minions,  and  all  the 
British  party ;  they  flattered  themselves  that  the  "  Sons 
of  Liberty,"  after  all  their  clamour,  resolutions,  and 
schemes  to  resist  the  tea  system,  were  outmanaged,  and 
that  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  prevent  the  land- 
ing and  sale  of  the  obnoxious  cargoes. 

Their  measures  "had  been  planned  so  wisely,  and  their 
execution  was  intrusted^to  agents  of  such  known  fidelity 
to  the  crown,  and  who  were  under  the  immediate  influ- 
ence and  control  of  the  governor,  they  thought  there  was 
not  a  loop-hole,  whereby  the  rebellious  Americans  could 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  153T 

escape  paying  the  hateful  tax.  They  did  not  even  dream 
that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  destroy  or  throw  over- 
board the  offensive  article,  which  covered  a  tribute  to 
Britain ;  for  if  they  had,  the  vessels  would  have  been 
guarded.  The  governor,  after  all  he  had  witnessed  and 
experienced,  judging  rather  from  his  feelings  than  his 
knowledge,  was  entirely  ignorant  of  public  sentiment, 
and  of  the  spirit  of  the  people :  he  had  no  idea  that  they 
had  determined  to  resist  the  obnoxious  measure,  at  every 
hazard,  even  that  of  life.  Nothing  short  of  this  bold 
step  could  prevent  the  deep  laid  scheme  against  the  liber- 
ties of  the  country  from  succeeding. 

It  had  been  rendered  impossible  that  the  vessels  should 
return  with  their  cargoes  ;  and  to  suffer  the  tea  to  be 
landed,  and  trust  to  the  spirit  and  unanimity  of  the  inha- 
bitants not  to  purchase  it,  would  have  been  to  yield  the 
point ;  for  a  small  portion  of  the  citizens  were  in  favour 
of  the  British,  and  would,  of  course,  consume  the  article, 
and  by  fair  means  or  foul,  it  would  have  been  distributed 
among  others.  And  it  would  have  been  equally  imprac- 
ticable to  prevent  the  tea  from  being  landed ;  the  most 
unwearied  watching,  day  and  night,  could  not  prevent 
this,  as  it  might  be  conveyed  ashore  by  small  quantities  in 
the  night  season,  and  at  such  places  as  to  escape  the 
utmost  vigilance.  Every  other  measure  had  been  attempt- 
ed without  success ;  the  consignees  had  been  urged  to  de- 
cline the  commission,  and  a  numerous  public  meeting  of 
the  citizens  had  been  held,  who  presented  a  remonstrance 
to  the  governor,  and  urged  him  to  order  back  the  ships 
without  suffering  any  part  of  their  cargoes  to  be  landed. 
But  his  answer  satisfied  them  that  he  was  the  adviser  of 
the  measure,  and  determined  to  carry  it  into  execution. 
The  parties  were  at  issue  on  the  great  question,  on  which 
the  liberties  of  the  country  hung  suspended;  whether 
Great  Britain  should  exercise  the  power  of  taxing  the 
Americans  in  any  way  or  not. 

This  question  depended  on  the  landing  of  a  few  car- 
goes of  tea,  which  had  become  contaminated  with  an  un- 
constitutional tax.  The  colonists  were  determined  that 
they  would  not  pay  the  tax,  and  the  British  party  were 
determined  to  carry  into  effect  the  tea  regulation,  and  to 


154  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

frustrate  the  plans  of  the  Americans.  Both  parties  had 
taken  their  measures,  and  the  British  party  were  confi- 
dent of  success ;  the  contest  was  advancing  to  a  crisis ; 
alarm  and  dismay  prevailed  ;  the  deepest  anxiety  was  de- 
picted in  every  countenance ;  had  an  invading  army  been 
in  the  neighbourhood  threatening  to  sack  the  town,  or 
had  the  pestilence  which  walks  in  darkness  ravaged  its 
pavilions,  greater  gloom  could  not  overspread  the  town, 
or  stronger  indications  been  exhibited,  of  a  pending  event 
big  with  the  fate  of  three  millions  of  people. 

During  this  deep  and  awful  suspense,  a  report  was 
started,  which  spread  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning 
through  the  town,  that  Admiral  Montague  was  about  to 
seize  the  ships,  and  dispose  of  their  cargoes,  at  public 
auction,  within  twenty-four  hours  ;  wThich  was  believed  to 
be  a  cunning  device  of  Hutchinson,  as  this  would  as  effec- 
tually have  secured  the  duties,  as  if  the  teas  had  been  sold 
at  the  stores  of  the  consignees.  This  rumour  was  like  an 
electric  shock  ;  leaving  their'  employments,  the  people 
rushed  into  the  streets,  and,  with  amazed  and  terrified 
countenances,  every  one  seemed  to  say,  what  shall  we  do 
to  prevent  ^the  consummation,  in  so  bold  and  daring  a 
manner,  of  this  iniquitous  scheme. 

In  a  few  moments,  as  from  an  instinctive  impulse,  a 
vast  crowd  repaired  to  one  of  the  most  spacious  churches 
in  Boston,  and  organized  themselves  into  a  public  meet- 
ing. Previously  to  taking  any  other  step,  a  message  was 
sent  to  the  governor  and  the  consignees,  who  with  diffi- 
culty could  be  found,  as  they  were  afraid  to  encounter 
even  the  looks  of  an  indignant  and  injured  people.  No 
satisfactory  answers  were  returned ;  but  instead  of  com- 
plying with  their  wishes,  whilst  the  assembled  multitude 
were  quietly,  notwithstanding  the  excitement  which  pre- 
vailed, consulting  on  their  critical  situation,  and  the  mea- 
sures proper  to  be  adopted,  the  sheriff  entered  with  an 
order  from  the  governor,  styling  them  an  illegal  and  sedi- 
tious assembly,  and  ordering  them  immediately  to  dis- 
perse. 

But  he  did  not  bring  with  him  the  posse  comitatus,  as 
the  power  of  the  county  was  already  assembled,  and  it 
was  that  the  sheriff  was  ordered  to  disperse  ;  this  man- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  155 

date  was  treated  with  deserved  contempt,  and  the  sheriff 
hissed  out  of  the  house,  mortified  and  chagrined,  and  a 
confused  murmur  followed,  not  only  in  the  house,  but 
among  the  vast  multitude  from  without ;  but  soon  order 
was  restored,  and  the  meeting  adjourned,  without  adopt- 
ing any  vote  or  resolution.  The  leaders  probably  sup- 
posed, that  such  a  meeting  was  not  the  place  to  discuss 
and  devise  measures  to  meet  the  crisis. 

The  bold  measure  was  now  conceived,  and  immedi- 
ately proposed  for  execution,  which  surprised  and  agitated 
the  two  countries,  and  hurried  on  that  memorable  revo- 
lution which  made  them  "  enemies  in  war,  and  in  peace 
friends."  The  success  of  it,  as  well  as  the  danger  at- 
tending it,  required  secrecy  and  despatch.  It  has  never 
been  known  with  certainty,  either  who  contrived  or  exe- 
cuted this  bold  expedient ;  but  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt, 
but  that  Mr.  Samuel  Adams,  and  many  of  the  leaders  in 
the  political  affairs  of  the  day,  were  its  contrivers,  and  it 
is  known,  that  the  hall  of  council  was  in  the  back  room 
of  Edes  and  Gill's  printing  office,  at  the  corner  of  the 
alley  leading  from  Court-street  to  Brattle-street  church 
It  is  a  singular  circumstance,  that  the  daring  and  despe- 
rate measure,  for  the  maintenance  of  the  liberties  of  the 
country,  should  have  been  counselled  and  contrived  in  an 
editorial  closet  of  a  newspaper,  which  was  one  of  the  or- 
gans of  the  public  voice,  and  a  vigilant  sentinel  of  the  li- 
berties of  the  people.  Since  this  period,  many  political 
schemes  have  originated  in  the  "  back  rooms"  of  print- 
ing offices,  but  in  general  of  a  very  different  character. 

In  a  few  hours  after  the  adjournment  of  the  public 
meeting,  the  bold  measure,  on  the  success  of  which  the 
great  question  of  taxation  hung  suspended,  was  contri- 
ved, matured,  and  ripened  for  execution ;  and  the  public 
were  surprised  with  the  sudden  appearance  in  the  streets, 
of  a  large  number  of  savages,  or  persons  disguised,  clad, 
and  every  way  counterfeiting  the  aborigines  of  the  coun- 
try :  armed  with  a  tomahawk  in  one  hand,  and  a  club 
over  the  shoulder  ;  who,  in  a  silent  and  solemn  manner, 
not  a  voice  being  heard,  marched  in  Indian  file,  through 
the  streets,  amidst  a  crowd  of  astonished  spectators,  who 
knew  not  what  to  think  of  so  unexpected  and  strange  an 


156  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

exhibition  ;  and  its  novelty,  and  the  surprise  which  it  oc- 
casioned, may  have  prevented  any  steps  being  taken  to 
oppose  their  design. 

The  Indians,  whilst  strongly  attached  to  tobacco,  in 
this  instance,  at  least,  appear  to  have  had  a  mortal  antipa- 
thy to  tea  ;  and,  as  though  attracted  by  its  noxious  quali- 
ties, they  proceeded  directly  towards  the  wharves  where 
he  tea  ships  lay ;  boarded  them,  demanded  the  keys,  and 
without  the  least  hesitation  or  delay,  knocked  open  the 
chests,  and  emptied  their  contents,  duties  and  all,  into  the 
ocean,  comprising  several  thousand  weight  of  the  finest 
teas.  The  deed  was  done  in  the  face  of  the  world  ;  and, 
although  surrounded  by  the  king's  ships,  no  opposition 
was  made  or  attempted — all  was  silence  and  amazement. 
Thus  the  teas,  which  were  designed  as  a  means  of  ex- 
torting tribute  from  the  Americans,  became  an  offering  to 
the  "  spirits  of  the  vasty  deep,"  and  a  sacrifice  to  the  li- 
berties of  the  country.  The  "  Indians,"  having  effected 
their  object,  showed  no  marks  of  triumph ;  no  savage 
warwhoop  was  heard  ;  nor  did  they  commit  any  other 
violence  or  disorder,  but  in  the  same  silent,  solemn,  and 
orderly  manner,  marched  back  through  the  town,  follow- 
ed by  a  vast  crowd.  No  movements  on  the  part  of  the 
government,  or  disturbance  by  the  people,  followed  this 
event ;  and  it  was  observed  at  the  time,  that  the  stillest 
night  succeeded,  which  Boston  had  enjoyed  for  several 
months. 

No  persons  assisted  the  savages  in  the  destruction  of 
the  tea,  except  some  boys  or  young  men,  who  had  assem- 
bled on  the  occasion,  and  voluntarily  took  a  part  in  what 
\vas  going  on ;  one  of  these  youths  collected  the  tea 
which  fell  into  his  own  shoes,  and  those  of  several  of  bis 
companions,  put  it  in  a  phial,  and  sealed  it  up,  which  is 
now  in  his  possession,  containing  the  same  obnoxious 
tea,  which,  in  this  instance,  was  considered  as  more  dan- 
gerous to  the  political  health  and  constitution  of  the  peo- 
ple, even  than  strong  drink.  The  number  of  savages, 
manufactured  for  the  occasion,  has  been  variously  estima- 
ted from  sixty  to  eighty ;  although  several  persons  have 
been  mentioned  as  among  the  number,  none  of  them  have 
ever  been  known  with  certainty ;  there  are  many  and  ob- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  157 

nous  reasons,  why  secrecy  then,  and  concealment  since, 
were  necessary.  Not  any  of  those  who,  it  has  been  con- 
fidently asserted,  were  of  the  party,  have  admitted  the 
fact,  except  some  of  the  boys. 

Nearly  all  of  the  disguised  persons  have  left  this  scene 
of  strife,  and  their  secret  has  died  with  them ;  and  what 
few  remain,  if  any,  will  probably  be  as  prudent  as  those 
who  have  gone  before  them,  and  like  them,  will  suffer 
their  knowledge  to  be  buried  with  them,  so  that  the  great- 
est secret  will  shortly  be  beyond  the  reach  of  human  re- 
search. The  success  of  this  bold  and  daring  measure, 
astonished  Governor  Hutchinson  and  the  British  party, 
and  seemed  to  convince  him  that  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty" 
were  not  quite  so  contemptible  as  he  had  ijepresented 
them  in  his  letters  to  the  ministry  ;  and  it  even  astonished 
the  whigs  in  the  other  colonies,  and  contributed  to  fan  the 
flames  of  liberty,  and  give  them  a  deeper  glow,  and  more 
intense  heat. 

When  the  intelligence  of  this  event  reached  England, 
accompanied  with  all  the  exaggeration  and  colouring 
which  Hutchinson  could  give  to  it,  it  produced  the  ut- 
most excitement  and  indignation  with  the  ministerial 
party,  and  even  the  opponents  of  the  American  revenue 
system,  could  not  justify  so  rash  and  desperate  a  measure. 
Parliament  at  once  determined  to  crush  the  devoted  town, 
which  was  the  seat  and  cause  of  this  high-handed  resist- 
ance to  its  supremacy.  Its  omnipotent  power,  and  all  the 
terrors  of  its  wrath,  were  to  be  concentrated  and  directed 
against  this  rebellious  town.  A  bill  wras  immediately  in- 
troduced to  "  discontinue  the  landing  and  discharging, 
landing  and  shipping,  of  goods,  wares,  and  merchandise, 
at  the  town  of  Boston,  or  within  the  harbour." 

This  bill,  called  the  "  Boston  Port  Bill,"  passed  on  the 
25th  of  March,  1774,  and  when  it  was  known,  threw  the 
inhabitants  into  the  utmost  consternation.  A  general 
meeting  was  called,  and  spirited  resolutions  adopted,  ex- 
pressive, in  strong  terms,  of  their  sense  of  the  oppressive 
measure,  and  they  requested  all  the  colonies  to  unite  in  an 
engagement  to  discontinue  all  importations  from  Great 
Britain ;  and  most  of  the  colonies  resolved  to  make  com- 

14 


158  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

mon  cause  with  Massachusetts,  in  her  opposition  to  the 
unconstitutional  measures  of  parliament. 

The  first  of  June,  when  the  port-bill  was  to  go  into  ope- 
ration, was  appointed  to  be  kept  as  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer.  This  act  was  soon  followed  by  another,  "  for  the 
better  regulating  government  in  the  province  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay ;"  the  object  of  which  was  to  alter  the  char- 
ter, so  as  to  make  the  judges  and  sheriffs  dependant  on 
the  king,  and  removeable  at  his  pleasure.  And  this  act 
was  soon  succeeded  by  another,  which  provided,  that  any 
persons  indicted  for  murder,  or  other  capital  offence,  com- 
mitted in  aiding  the  magistrates  in  enforcing  the  la\vs, 
might  be  sent  by  the  governor,  either  to  any  other  colony 
or  to  Great  Britain,  for  his  trial. 

-  The  Quebec  bill  followed  in  rapid  succession,  enlarg- 
ing the  bounds  of  that  province,  and  conferring  many 
privileges  on  the  Roman  Catholics  ;  the  design  of  which 
was  to  secure  the  attachment  of  that  province,  and  pre- 
vent its  joining  with  the  colonies  in  their  measures  of  re- 
sistance. These  measures,  instead  of  intimidating  the  co- 
lonies into  submission,  only  confirmed  their  fears  of  the 
settled  designs  of  Great  Britain,  to  deprive  them  of  their 
chartered  rights,  and  reduce  the  colonies  to  the  lowest 
state  of  political  degradation  and  oppression.  A  sense  of 
common  danger  led  to  an  extensive  correspondence, 
which  resulted  in  the  opinion,  that  it  was  expedient  to 
convene  a  general  congress,  to  consist  of  deputies  from  all 
the  colonies.  This  congress  met  at  Philadelphia,  on  the 
5th  of  September,  1774  ;  and  comprised  among  its  mem- 
bers, some  of  the  most  distinguished  patriots,  statesmen, 
and  orators  in  this  country,  or  perhaps  in  any  other.  Not- 
withstanding the  ferment  which  prevailed  in  most  of  the 
colonies,  their  proceedings  were  characterized  by  cool- 
ness, unanimity,  and  firmness. 

They  published  along  and  solemn  declaration  of  rights, 
as  British  subjects,  and  maintained  in  the  strongest  terms, 
their  exemption  from  taxation  by  parliament;  besides 
which,  they  prepared  a  petition  to  the  king,  which  was  re- 
fused to  t>e  answered;  an  address  to  the  people  of  Great 
Britain — another  to  the  people  of  America.  These  docu- 
ments were  drawn  up  with  a  masterly  hand,  and  exhibited 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  159 

great  dignity  and  ability,  and  were,  in  every  respect, 
worthy  of  the  men  who  had  confided  to  them  the  liber- 
ties of  their  country,  and  the  destinies  of  three  millions  of 
their  countrymen,  threatened  with  slavery. 

The  proceedings  of  congress  did  not  tend  to  allay  pub- 
lic feeling,  and  as  the  royal  agents  in  Massachusetts  seem- 
ed determined  to  push  matters  to  extremities,  and  reduce 
the  people  to  unconditional  submission,  by  arbitrary  and 
forcible  means,  every  thing  now  wore  the  appearance  of 
civil  war.  A  new  council,  and  new  judges,  were  appoint- 
ed by  the  crown ;  and  the  latter  attempted  to  enter  upon 
the  execution  of  their  offices  ;  but  the  juries  refused  to  be 
sworn  under  them ;  the  people  in  some  counties  assem- 
bled to  prevent  their  proceedings,  and  in  Berkshire  suc- 
ceeded in  thus  setting  an  example,  which  was  afterwards 
followed  by  Shays'  men,  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  the 
state.  About  this  time,  the  famous  "  Tree  of  Liberty,'* 
in  Boston,  which  had  been  pruned  and  ornamented  with 
so  much  pride  and  care,  "  fell  a  victim  to  British  ven- 
geance, or  to  some  individual  to  whom  its  shade  had  be- 
come offensive." 

Previously  to  this  period,  General  Gage  had  succeeded 
Hutchinson  as  governor  of  Massachusetts ;  and,  appre- 
hending danger  from  a  general  muster  of  the  militia,  he 
caused  the  magazines  and  ammunition  at  Charlestown 
and  Cambridge,  to  be  removed  to  Boston,  and  fortified 
the  neck  of  land  which  joins  Boston  to  the  main  land,  at 
Roxbury.  These  measures  occasioned  a  universal  panic ; 
delegates  from  all  the  towns  in  the  county  of  Suffolk  met, 
and  spirited  resolutions,  and  a  remonstrance  to  the  go- 
vernor, were  adopted. 

The  general  assembly  had  been  summoned  to  meet  at 
Salem  ;  but,  from  the  turbulence  of  the  times,  the  governor 
issued  his  proclamation,  countermanding  their  meet- 
ing ;  yet,  in  defiance  of  the  governor's  mandate,  ninety 
members  met,  resolved  themselves  into  a  provincial  con- 
gress, chose  Mr.  Hancock  president,  and  adjourned  to 
Concord,  nineteen  miles  from  Boston.  They  fearlessly 
proceeded  to  business;  after  addressing  the  governor,  and 
reiterating  their  grievances,  in  the  face  of  British  law  and 
British  troops,  they  proceeded  to  adopt  the  first  measures 


100  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

which  were  taken,  directly  and  avowedly,  preparatory  to 
an  appeal  to  the  sword,  in  defence  of  their  rights  and 
liberties.  They  regulated  the  militia,  made  provision  for 
furnishing  the  people  with  arms,  and  for  supplying  the 
treasury ;  and  such  was  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people, 
that  their  recommendations  had  the  force  of  law.  Go- 
vernor Gage  was  filled  with  rage  at  these  daring  proceed- 
ngs,  and  issued  a  proclamation,  in  which  he  insinuated 
that  they  amounted  to  rebellion. 

Early  in  1775,  parliament  passed  the  fishery  bills, 
which  prohibited  the  colonies  from  trading  in  fish  with 
Great  Britain,  Ireland,  and  the  West  Indies,  and  from 
taking  fish  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland.  These  acts 
were  intended  to  operate  on  the  town  of  Boston,  which 
had  become  the  devoted  object  of  ministerial  wrath. 
The  various  statutes  which  were  passed,  occasioned  deep 
and  general  distress  in  Boston  and  its  vicinity  ;  but  their 
brethren  in  the  other  colonies  sympathized  with  them,  and 
promptly  supplied  them  with  provisions  of  every  descrip- 
tion for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers. 

This  policy  of  the  British  government  was  not  only 
oppressive,  but  mean  and  contemptible.  Partial  legisla- 
tion is  always  odious  and  tyrannical;  yet  it  consisted 
with  the  justice  and  dignity  of  the  British  nation ;  and 
a  series  of  acts  were  passed,  and  the  power  of  the  nation 
exerted,  to  crush  the  town  of  Boston,  because  it  had 
shown  a  more  determined  spirit  of  resistance  to  their 
oppressive  and  unconstitutional  measures  than  had  ap- 
peared in  other  places.  The  ministry  were  not  sensible 
that  the  colonies  considered  themselves  all  engaged  in  a 
common  cause ;  they  were  in  hopes  to  humble  and  crush 
the  rebellious  inhabitants  of  that  devoted  town,  which 
they  thought  would  be  such  a  terrific  example  as  would 
frighten  all  the  colonies  into  submission.  But  their  wick- 
ed designs  recoiled  on  the  heads  of  their  authors ;  for 
these  oppressive  measures  towards  the  Bostonians  only 
served  to  exasperate  the  people  throughout  all  the  colo- 
nies, who  regarded  them  as  cruel  and  detestable. 

In  March,  1775,  the  public  indignation  was  greatly  ex- 
cited by  the  following  base,  and  most  shameful  transac- 
tions : — 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  161 

"  The  people  from  the  country,  whose  business  called 
them  into  Boston,  were  suspected  by  the  officers  of  pur- 
chasing guns  from  their  soldiers.  In  order  to  furnish  an 
opportunity  to  inflict  punishment,  and  to  raise  occasion 
for  a  serious  quarrel,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Nesbit,  of  the 
forty-seventh  regiment,  ordered  a  soldier  to  offer  a  coun- 
tryman an  old  rusty  musket.  A  man  from  Billerica  was 
caught  by  this  bait,  and  purchased  the  gun  for  three  dol- 
lars. The  unfortunate  man  was  immediately  seized  by 
Nesbit,  and  confined  in  the  guard-house  all  night.  Early 
next  morning  they  stripped  him  entirely  naked,  covered 
him  over  with  warm  tar,  and  then  with  feathers,  placed 
him  on  a  cart,  and  conducted  him  through  the  streets  as 
far  as  liberty  tree,  where  the  people  began  to  collect  in 
vast  numbers,  and  the  military,  fearing  for  their  safety, 
dismissed  the  man,  and  retreated  to  their  barracks.  The 
party  consisted  of  about  thirty  grenadiers,  with  fixed 
bayonets,  twenty  drums  and  fifes  playing  the  rogue's 
march,  headed  by  the  redoubtable  Nesbit  with  a  drawn 
sword  !  What  an  honourable  deed  for  a  British  field  offi- 
cer, and  grenadiers  !  The  select  men  of  Billerica  remon- 
strated with  General  Gage  respecting  this  outrage,  but 
obtained  no  satisfaction." 

The  breach  between  Britain  and  the  colonies  had  now 
become  so  wide,  as,  with  the  mass  of  the  people,  nearly 
to  exclude  all  ideas  of  conciliation ;  and  both  parties  be- 
gan to  make  preparations  for  an  appeal  to  the  sword. 
No  alternative  was  left  the  Americans  but  slavery,  or 
resistance  by  force ;  measures  were  adopted  for  training 
the  militia  to  the  use  of  arms,  to  encourage  the  manufac- 
ture of  gunpowder,  and  for  collecting  all  kinds  of  milita- 
ry stores  ;  and  committees  of  public  safety  were  appoint- 
ed in  all  the  towns  in  the  province.  The  British  go- 
vernment sent  out  a  reinforcement  of  troops  to  Boston, 
and  in  the  mean  time,  Governor  Gage  attempted  to  coun- 
teract the  designs  and  measures  of  the  provincials,  and 
particularly  to  seize  and  destroy  their  military  stores,  and 
thus  deprive  them  of  the  means  of  resistance. 

To  destroy  their  military  stores  at  Concord,  General 
Gage  despatched,  in  a  secret  manner,  a  regiment  of  gre- 
nadiers, who  undertook  to  disperse,  and  fired  upon  a  party 

14* 


162  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

of  militia  at  Lexington,  several  of  whom  were  killed, 
which  was  the  first  blood  spilt  in  that  memorable  war  and 
revolution,  that  separated  Great  Britain  and  America  for- 
ever, and  gave  to  the  latter,  not  only  a  rank  amono-  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth,  but  what  only  can  exalt  a  nation — Li- 
berty and  free  institutions  j  which  are  the  durable  foun- 
dations of  its  glory  and  rising  prosperity — its  tranquillity 
and  happiness,  its  increasing  population  and  wealth,  the 
rapidity  of  which  is  unexampled  in  the  annals  of  the 
world. 

Thus,  dear  reader,  I  have  given  you  a  summary  view 
of  the  causes  which  led  to  the  American  revolution.  I 
shall  commence  the  revolution  by  giving  you  an  account 
of  the  battle  of  Lexington. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  1775,  Lieut.  Colonel  Smith  and 
Major  Pitcairn  left  Boston,  with  800  chosen  men  from  <he 
British  army,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  Ameri- 
can stores  at  Concord.  On  their  arrival  at  Lexingtc  n, 
they  found  about  seventy  militia  under  arms  upon  the 
green.  Major  Pitcairn,  seeing  the  Americans  on  parade, 
rode  up  to  them,  and  exclaimed,  disperse,  you  rebels, 
throw  down  your  arms,  and  disperse.  His  orders,  no 
being  instantly  obeyed,  he  discharged  his  own  pistol,  anc? 
ordered  his  men  to  fire.  His  orders  were  obeyed,  and 
three  of  the  Americans  were  killed.  The  detachment 
proceeded  to  Concord. 

The  militia  of  that  town  had  also  assembled  to  oppose, 
them,  but  their  number  was  so  small  that  they  retired  and 
waited  for  aid  from  the  neighbouring  towns.  The  British 
destroyed  all  the  stores  that  were  to  be  found,  and  then 
began  their  retreat  towards  Lexington.  But  the  whole 
country  was  in  arms,  and  pressed  upon  their  rear.  The 
Americans  kept  up  a  continual  lire  from  behind  hedges 
stone  walls,  &c.  Major  Pitcairn,  fearing  his  carcass 
would  be  picked  from  his  horse,  dismounted,  and  led  his 
division  on  foot;  but  his  horse  and  equipments  were  ta- 
ken by  the  provincials.  At  sunset,  the  regulars,  over- 
come with  fatigue,  secured  their  retreat  over  Charlestown 
neck,  and  found  on  Bunker's  Hill  a  place  of  security  ana 
repose. 

The  loss  of  the  British,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  taken 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  163 

prisoners,  amounted  to  273,  while  the  American  loss  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  was  only  88. 

The  battle  of  Lexington  spread  like  a  conflagration, 
and  aroused  the  hardy  sons  of  the  country  to  a  manful 
resistance.  The  agriculturalist  left  his  plough  in  the  fur- 
row, and  the  mechanic  dropped  his  tools  in  the  shop,  and 
trie  great  mass  of  the  people  repaired  to  Boston  with  such 
arms  as  could  be  found.  Within  a  few  day 3  a  large  army 
was  collected,  under  the  command  of  Generals  Wrrd  and 
/'utiiam.  This  alarmed  General  Gage  for  the  safety  of 
nis  garrison.  When  the  tidings  of  these  events  reached 
ehe  south,  the  population  were  aroused  to  the  contest  with 
the  same  animated  zeal  which  had  been  displayed  at  the 
north,  and  the  alarm  spread  far  and  wide  through  the 
country. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  1776,  the  provincial  congress  of 
Massachusetts  issued  the  following  general  circular : 

"  We  conjure  you,  by  all  that  is  dear,  by  all  that  is  sa- 
cred, that  you  give  all  possible  assistance  in  forming  an 
army,  in  defence  of  the  country.  Our  all  is  at  stake. 
Death  and  destruction  are  the  certain  consequences  of 
delay.  Every  moment  is  infinitely  precious ;  an  hour 
lost  may  deluge  your  country  in  blood,  and  entail  perpe- 
tual slavery  upon  the  few  of  your  posterity  that  survive 
the  carnage.  We  beg  and  entreat,  as  you  will  answer  it 
to  your  country,  to  your  consciences,  and,  above  all,  as 
}  ou  will  answer  it  to  your  God,  that  you  will  hasten,  by 
a!  possible  means,  the  enlistment  of  men,  to  form  an 
army,  and  send  them  forward  to  head  quarters,  at  Cam- 
bridge, with  that  expedition,  which  the  vast  importance 
ariu  instant  urgency  of  the  affairs  demand." 

This,  as  might  be  expected,  aroused  the  energies  of  the 
country,  and  inspired  the  people  with  the  most  heroic 
feelings.  The  call  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  sons  of 
libei  iy  enlisted  themselves  with  the  greatest  alacrity  for 
the  defence  of  their  rights. 

The  responsibilities  which  now  rested  on  the  fathers  of 
the  revolution  were  great,  and  their  services  important. 
They  nad  to  embody  and  discipline  new  and  inexperi- 
enced troops,  bring  order  out  of  confusion,  and  to  supply 
both  atms  and  ammunition,  being  without  funds,  and 


164  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

almost  without  authority  to  resist  them.  Besides  this,  ta« 
army  was  to  be  supplied  with  provisions,  in  the  face  of  a 
formidable,  well  disciplined,  and  well  furnished  enemy 
But  the  zeal  and  ability  of  the  officers  were  equal  to  the 
crisis.  Of  some  it  is  even  recorded,  that  for  a  succession 
of  days  and  nights,  they  were  constantly  at  the  head  of 
their  respective  guards,  without  a  change  of  raiment. 

At  this  critical  epoch,  General  Ward  directed  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen  to  raise  four  hundred  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
on  the  New-Hampshire  grants,  since  then  composing  the 
state  now  called  Vermont.  With  this  force  he  was  to 
surprise  the  garrisons  of  the  English  on  Lake  Champlain. 
The  colonel  raised  two  hundred  and  thirty  of  the  number, 
with  which  force  he  repaired  to  Castleton,  where  he  met 
one  hundred  and  seventy-two  more,  by  concert  with  cer- 
tain officers  of  the  militia.  In  this  plan,  Dean,  Wooster, 
and  Parsons,  with  others  in  Connecticut,  co-operated, 
and  sentinels  were  posted  on  the  different  routes  to  Ti- 
conderoga,  to  intercept  intelligence  of  the  intentions  of 
the  Americans. 

About  this  time,  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold,  who  had 
arrived  to  assist  in  the  enterprise,  consented  to  act  in  con- 
cert with  Colonel  Allen,  and  no-  unnecessary  delay  pre- 
vented them  from  moving  forward  to  the  object  which 
they  determined  to  accomplish. 

Colonel  Allen  crossed  the  lake  on  the  10th  of  May, 
with  a  detachment  of  only  eighty-three  men,  with  which 
he  attacked  Fort  Ticonderoga  early  in  the  morning. 
With  this  small  number  he  rushed  into  the  fort  while  the 
garrison  was  asleep.  Captain  Delaplace  was  ordered  to 
surrender  the  garrison  instantly,  as  he  would  save  them 
from  immediate  destruction.  The  captain  inquired  by 
what  authority,  to  whom  Colonel  Allen  replied,  "  In  the 
name  of  the  Great  Jehovah,  and  the  continental  Con- 
gress." The  fort  was  imr  icdia^ely  surrendered,  and  the 
soldiers  paraded  without  arms.  The  prisoners  consisted 
of  four  officers,  forty-four  privates,  with  several  women' 
and  children,  who  were  sent  into  Connecticut  for  security. 

The  fruits  of  this  victory  were — 120  iron  cannon,  50 
swivels,  more  than  three  tons  of  balls,  two  ten  inch  mor- 
tars, and  a  quantity  of  shells,  flints,  gun  carriages,  powder, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  165 

flour,  pork,  &c.  with  two  brass  cannon,  and  many  other 
valuables. 

With  the  remainder  of  the  party,  Colonel  Seth  War- 
ner, a  native  of  Connecticut,  crossed  the  lake,  and  took 
the  fortress  of  Crown  Poin-  y  surprise,  with  more  than 
one  hundred  pieces  of  camion.  Colonel  Arnold,  who 
had  embarked  on  the  lake  in  a  small  schooner,  captured 
an  English  armed  vessel,  and  returned  to  Ticonderoga 
with  his  prize.  Thus  was  a  free  communication  with 
Canada  secured  by  the  command  of  the  lake. 

While  the  tide  of  success  thus  waited  on  the  American 
arms  in  the  north,  General  Gage  contemplated  an  attack 
upon  the  American  troops  at  Roxbury,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Thomas.  The  number  of  troops  at 
this  place  amounted,  in  all,  to  but  seven  hundred  militia, 
and  they  were  nearly  destitute  of  both  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion. What  was  wanting  in  force,  however,  was  supplied 
by  stratagem.  The  Americans  were  marched  round  a 
hill  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  and  displayed  to  such  ad- 
vantage through  the  day,  that  the  British  general  was 
completely  hoaxed,  and  the  attack  was  not  made.  Rein- 
forcements soon  arrived,  and  the  place  was  saved. 

The  success  which  attended  the  American  arms  in 
their  frequent  skirmishes  with  the  foraging  parties  of  the 
British,  among  the  small  islands  which  abound  in  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  gave  them  confidence  and  courage  to  face 
the  English  forces  with  confidence  and  success  in  more 
important  undertakings. 

On  the  25th  of  the  month,  the  three  British  generals, 
Hu  tve,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,  arrived  at  Boston.  They 
were  able  and  experienced,  and  to  them  was  committed 
the  task  of  putting  down  all  opposition,  and  of  bringing 
the  revolted  colonists  to  a  state  of  absolute  and  uncondi- 
tional submission,  during  the  first  campaign. 

Two  days  after  this,  the  provincials,  under  Putnam  and 
Warren,  defeated  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy  on  the 
islands,  and  destroyed  the  vessel,  armed  and  stationed  for 
their  defence.  The  same  success  attended  their  arms  on 
the  30th,  and  the  British  were  greatly  distressed  by  a  re- 
moval of  the  cattle  from  the  islands,  and  the  communica- 
tion with  Boston  was  now  closed. 


166  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  the  part  of  the  continentals,  the  sufferings  were 
severe.  The  small  pox  had  been  communicated  from 
Boston,  and  raged  in  the  army  to  an  alarming  degree. 
Money  was  exceedingly  scarce  ;  and  the  whole  force, 
including  officers  and  soldiers,  did  not  exceed  eight  thou- 
sand. Under  all  their  discouragements,  and  in  their 
undisciplined  state,  nothing  could  keep  them  together 
ut  the  most  ardent  zeal  for  the  cause  of  their  common 
country. 

A  proclamation  was  issued  by  General  Gage,  on  the 
12th  of  June,  in  the  king's  name,  offering  a  general  am- 
nesty, excluding  only  John  Hancock  and  Samuel  Adams. 
Those  who  should  refuse  these  gracious  offers,  or  corres- 
pond with,  or  aid  and  assist  the  refractory,  were  denounced 
as  rebels,  and  threatened  to  be  treated  as  such.  Martial 
law  was  also  declared  in  the  province. 

The  proclamation  was  very  properly  considered  as  a 
public  declaration  of  war,  and  the  precursor  of  hostile 
operations,  and  the  enemy  was  watched  with  the  utmost 
vigilance.  Colonel  Prescott,  with  a  detachment  of  one 
thousand  men,  was  ordered  to  fortify  Bunker's  Hill,  in 
Charlestown  but  as  the  operation  was  in  the  night,  he 
fortified  a  place  which  lay  contiguous  to  !'„,  called  Breed's 
Hill,  which  was  nearer  to  Boston.  The  boldness  of  this 
movement  both  perplexed  and  astonished  General  Gage, 
who  saw  that  it  jeopardized  his  own  safety  in  Boston. 
He  determined  to  dislodge  them  from  this  position  without 
delay  ;  and,  on  the  17th,  about  noon,  he  detached  a  train 
of  artillery,  ten  companies  of  grenadiers,  and  four  batta- 
lions of  infantry,  for  this  purpose. 

On  this  occasion.  Major  General  Howe,  and  Brigadier 
General  Pigot,  commanded.  At  Charlestown,  a  reinforce- 
ment was  added  to  their  numbers,  and  the  force  amount- 
ed to  three  thousand  men.  This  force  formed  on  the 
beach,  and,  marching  in  battle  array,  a  terrible  cannonade 
was  commenced.  The  first  shock  of  the  battle  was  firmly 
sustained  by  Colonel  Prescott,  aided  by  Colonel  Stark  of 
New-Hampshire,  and  Captain  "Norton,  of  Connecticut. 
The  detachment  was  soon  joined  by  Generals  Putnam, 
Warren,  and  Pomeroy,  who  imparted  enthusiasm  and 
energy  to  the  conflict.  Charlestown  was  wrapped  in 
flames  as  the  British  advanced. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  167 

In  imitation  of  the  heroes  on  the  plains  of  Abraham, 
the  fire  of  the  Americans  was  reserved  until  the  English 
arrived  to  within  seventy  yards.  A  well  directed  fire  of 
musketry  was  then  opened,  which  spread  destruction  in 
the  ranks  of  the  assailants,  and  kept  them  in  check. 
The  discharge  of  the  musketry  was  dreadful,  and  the 
enemy  fled  in  disorder.  The  chagrin  and  mortification 
of  the  officers  was  extreme,  and  the  men  were  rallied  to 
another  charge.  They  were  again  repulsed,  cut  to 
pieces,  and  put  to  the  rout.  At  this  crisis,  General  Clin- 
ton came  up,  and,  the  troops  being  once  more  rallied,  re- 
newed the  charge,  and  the  carnage  became  dreadful. 
The  time  was  a  critical  one.  The  powder  of  the  provin- 
cials was  nearly  expended,  and  the  cartridge  boxes  of  the 
dead  were  searched,  that  the  fire  might  be  continued, 
when  their  wings  were  outflanked  by  the  enemy,  and  the 
trenches  were  exposed  to  a  raking  fire  from  the  British 
artillery. 

A  terrible  cannonade  was  now  commenced  from  the 
British  ships  and  batteries,  and  the  exertions  of  the  ene- 
my were  redoubled.  The  troops  were  pressed  on  by 
the  swords  and  bayonets  in  the  rear,  and  the  points  of 
British  bayonets  were  met  by  clubbed  muskets,  until 
numbers  prevailed,  and  the  Americans  were  compelled 
to  retire.  The  retreat  was  conducted  in  good  order,  and 
the  camp  at  Cambridge  was  regained,  under  a  well  di- 
rected fire  from  the  ships  and  batteries,  which  raked  them 
severely  as  they  crossed  over  the  neck  at  Charlestown. 

Of  this  battle,  it  may  be  said,  that  in  all  the  records  of 
British  valour,  not  one  action  occurred,  in  which  they  were 
met  by  a  more  dauntless  courage,  or  a  more  obstinate  re- 
sistance, or  in  which  they  obtained  a  harder  victory. 

In  this  battle,  the  Americans  lost  139  killed,  278  wound- 
ed, and  36  missing ;  in  all  453.  Among  the  killed,  were 
Gen.  Warren,  Col.  Gardner,  Lieut.  Col.  Parker,  and  Ma- 
jors Moore  and  M'Claney,  whose  loss  to  the  nation  was 
severely  felt,  and  shed  a  gloom  over  the  country. 

The  British  loss,  as  reported  by  General  Gage,  was  226 
killed,  nineteen  of  whom  were  commissioned  officers, 
and  seventy  officers  wounded.  Total  loss  of  the  British, 
1054. 


168  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

The  result  of  the  American  loss  in  this  battle,  is  said  to 
equal  that  of  Wolfe  in  the  capture  of  Quebec,  but  in  the 
loss  of  officers,  it  stands  as  eighteen  to  thirteen  in  killed, 
and  as  seventy  to  sixty-six  in  wounded.  From  this  some 
estimate  can  be  made  of  the  comparative  resistance  in 
the  two  conflicts. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  the  day  on  which  Col.  Allen  de- 
manded the  surrender  of  Ticonderoga  in  the  name  of  the 
American  Congress,  that  illustrious  body  assembled  in 
Philadelphia,  and  commenced  its  session.  The  Hon. 
Peyton  Randolph  was  re-appointed  President,  and  Charles 
Thompson,  Secretary. 

In  June,  by  a  special  resolve,  the  Congress  interdicted 
all  intercourse  with  the  enemy,  and  assumed  the  style  of 
the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  under  sanction  of  which,  a 
day  of  fasting  was  appointed  for  the  30th  of  July  follow- 
ing. On  the  15th,  General  Washington,  then  a  member 
from  Virginia,  was  appointed  to  the  responsible  station  of 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  American  forces.  He  ac- 
cepted the  trust  with  great  diffidence.  In  reply  to  the 
President,  after  accepting  the  appointment,  he  added — 
"  But  lest  some  unlucky  event  should  happen  unfavourable 
to  my  reputation,  I  beg  it  may  be  remembered,  by  every 
gentleman  in  the  room,  that  I  this  day  declare  with  the 
utmost  sincerity,  I  do  not  think  myself  equal  to  the  com- 
mand I  am  honoured  with. 

"  As  to  pay,  sir,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  the  Congress, 
that  as  no  pecuniary  consideration  could  have  tempted 
me  to  accept  this  arduous  employment,  at  the  expense  of 
my  domestic  ease  and  happiness,  I  do  not  wish  to  make 
any  profit  from  it.  I  will  keep  an  exact  account  of  my 
expenses.  Those,  I  doubt  not,  they  will  discharge,  and 
that  is  all  I  desire." 

On  presenting  this  special  commission  to  Gen.  Wash- 
ington, a  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted,  that  "  they 
would  maintain  and  assist  him,  and  adhere  to  him,  with 
their  lives  and  fortunes,  in  the  cause  of  American  liberty." 
Immediately  after  this,  was  the  appointment  of  four  Ma- 
jor Generals,  Artemas  Ward,  Charles  Lee,  Philip  Schuy- 
ler,  and  Israel  Putnam;  and  eight  Brigadier  Generals, 
Seth  Pomeroy,  Richard  Montgomery,  David  Wooster, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  169 

William  Heath,  Joseph  Spencer,  John  Sullivan,  and  Na- 
thaniel Greene. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  fifteen  days  from  the  date  of  his 
commission,  Washington  arrived  at  Head  Quarters,  in 
Cambridge,  accompanied  by  General  Lee,  and  several 
other  gentlemen.  The  sentiment  felt  and  expressed 
throughout  the  country  was,  that  "under God,  Washing- 
ton must  be  the  saviour  of  his  country."  What  was  their 
presentiment,  is  now  historically  recorded. 

General  Washington  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  new 
office,  under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances.  He 
was,  indeed,  at  the  head  of  14,000  men,  but  without  dis- 
cipline, without  order,  and  nearly  destitute  of  military 
stores,  and  of  most  of  the  conveniences  necessary  to  the 
well  being  of  an  army.  New  efforts  and  new  energies 
became  necessary,  and  they  were  applied  with  effect. 

At  this  time,  General  Howe  commanded  the  main  body 
of  the  British  army,  which  was  posted  on  Bunker's  Hill. 
Another  division  was  securely  stationed  near  Roxbury. 
The  fleet  covered  the  reserve  and  Boston. 

The  main  body  of  the  American  army  was  posted  at 
Cambridge,  under  the  guardianship  of  the  commander- 
in-chief.  The  right  rested  on  Roxbury,  under  General 
Ward,  and  the  left  was  securely  posted  on  Prospect  Hill, 
under  General  Lee.  About  3000  men  filled  the  interme- 
diate spaces,  under  the  command  of  General  Putnam  and 
others.  The  American  army,  thus  posted,  held  a  con- 
trolling power,  which  left  the  British  in  a  state  of  siege, 
or  at  least  of  a  land  blockade. 

On  the  14th  and  22d  of  June,  Congress  ordered  a  bat- 
talion of  riflemen  to  be  raised  in  Virginia  and  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  such  was  the  spirit  of  patriotism  in  these  states, 
that  on  the  7th  of  August,  they  were  raised,  accoutred, 
and  embodied  with  the  army,  without  drawing  on  the 
public  treasury  for  a  single  cent. 

At  this  time,  the  wants  of  the  army  were  truly  embar- 
rassing, and  exposed  the  Americans  to  great  danger,  in 
the  event  of  an  attack,  which  was  anticipated.  Among 
the  most  important,  were  the  want  of  ammunition  and 
bayonets.  Camp  equipage  and  engineers  were  in  great 
request,  and  the  disaffection  of  officers,  occasioned  by 

15 


170  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

certain  appointments  of  Congress,  were  truly  distressing. 
Added  to  this,  that  many  of  the  troops  were  to  be  dis- 
banded in  November,  and  the  longest  term  of  service 
would  close  with  the  year.  But  the  zeal,  which  was  the 
fruit  of  a  righteous  cause,  prevailed,  and  they  were  ena- 
bled to  conquer  their  difficulties.  Had  the  enemy  known 
their  vulnerable  points,  the  result  might  have  been  very 
different. 

The  American  force  had  lately  been  augmented  by  a  re- 
inforcement of  8000  men  ;  and  the  commander-in-chief  of 
course  called  a  council  to  settle  on  a  plan  of  operations 
for  the  summer  campaign.  This  council  determined  on 
a  blockade,  as  the  want  of  ammunition  precluded  the  idea 
of  an  assault  on  the  town.  Of  the  British  force,  it  had 
been  well  ascertained,  that  since  the"19th  of  April,  2500  of 
the  army  had,  by  various  means,  been  lost,  and  it  was 
thought  that  before  the  recruits  should  arrive  in  the  spring, 
the  army  would  be  much  weakened. 

About  this  time,  an  invitation  was  sent  to  New-York* 
by  General  Gage,  to  enlist,  as  volunteers,  the  foreign  sea- 
men who  might  be  there.  In  October,  Falmouth,  in 
Massachusetts,  was  burnt  by  order  of  the  English  govern- 
ment, which  directed  that  the  towns  on  the  sea-coast 
should  be  laid  waste  for  the  sin  of  rebellion.  But  the 
step  was  as  impolitic  as  it  was  inhuman.  The  flames  of 
Falmouth,  like  those  of  Charlestown,  roused  the  spirit  of 
the  colonies  afresh,  and  called  forth  more  union  and  great- 
er exertions.  Frigates  and  privateers  were  fitted  for  sea, 
and  commissioned  against  the  commerce  of  the  enemy, 
and  two  battalions  of  marines  were  raised  for  that  ser- 
vice. Cruisers  were  sent  out,  to  intercept  supplies,  for  the 
British^— a  spirit  of  adventure  was  raised,  and  success  at- 
tended it.  Captain  Manley,  of  the  privateer  Lee,  took  a 
rich  store-ship,  laden  with  supplies  for  the  army  in  Bos- 
ton, which  encouraged  the  Americans,  in  proportion  as  it 
disheartened  and  distressed  the  enemy,  for  whose  use  the 
supplies  were  much  needed. 

On  hearing  tidings  of  the  battle  at  Lexington,  the  spi- 
rit of  South  Carolina  awakened  to  the  situation  of  the 
nation.  Her  provincial  congress  was  convened,  and  the 
following  covenant  was  passed  by  an  unanimous  resolu- 
tion : 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  171 

"  Thoroughly  convinced,  that  under  our  present  dis- 
tressed circumstances,  we  shall  be  justified  before  God 
and  man,  in  resisting  force  by  force :  We  do  unite  our- 
selves, under  every  tie  of  religion  and  honour,  and  asso- 
ciate as  a  band  of  brothers,  in  defence  of  our  injured 
country,  against  every  foe ;  hereby  solemnly  engaging, 
that  whenever  our  continental  or  provincial  councils  shall 
decree  it  necessary,  we  will  go  forth  and  be  ready  to  sa- 
crifice our  lives  and  fortunes  to  secure  her  defence  and 
safety.  This  covenant  to  continue  in  force,  until  a  re- 
conciliation shall  take  place  between  Great  Britain  and 
America,  upon  constitutional  principles ;  an  event  which 
we  most  heartily  desire.  And  we  will  hold  those  persons 
criminal  to  the  liberty  of  these  colonies,  who  shall  refuse 
to  subscribe  to  this  association." 

The  result  of  this  resolution  was  such  as  might  be  ex- 
pected. Two  regiments  of  infantry,  and  one  of  rangers, 
was  raised  for  common  defence,  and  the  language  of  the 
day  was  in  unison  with  that  of  the  other  colonies,  nearer 
the  seat  of  danger.  Having  organized  their  affairs  with 
a  view  to  the  situation  of  the  country,  they  adjourned. 
But  we  must  here  remark,  that  South  Carolina  was  not. 
alone  in  the  spirit  of  resistance.  The  king's  governors 
were  removed  from  office  in  the  neighbouring  colonies, 
and  the  people  assumed  the  responsibility  of  self-govern- 
ment. Committees  of  safety  were  appointed,  and  means 
taken  to  attend  to  their  own  business  in  their  own  way. 

The  efforts  of  the  colonies,  generally,  were  directed  to 
the  supplies  wanted  by  the  army  near  Boston.  Powder 
was  purchased  in  foreign  ports — some  was  obtained  .from 
Bermuda,  and  about  three  and  a  half  tons  was  received 
by  General  Washington  from  the  British  forts  on  the 
coasr  of  Africa.  The  colonies,  also,  set  about  the  manu- 
facture of  this  article. 

Intelligence  was  received  at  head  quarters,  that  the  Ca- 
nadians had  received  the  addresses  from  Congress  in  a 
favourable  manner,  and  that  they  would  not  act  against 
the  colonies.  An  expedition  was  sent  out  for  Quebec,  on 
the  19th  of  September,  consisting  of  one  thousand  men, 
under  Col.  Arnold,  by  way  of  Kennebec.  He  arrived  at 
his  place  of  destination  on  the  9th  of  November,  after 


172  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

traversing  a  pathless  wilderness,  and  encountering  the 
greatest  hardships  and  privations. 

About  the  same  time,  General  Montgomery  entered  Ca- 
nada by  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  in  company  with  Gene- 
ral Schuyler.  He  laid  siege  to  St.  John's,  on  the  8th  of 
October.  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  governor  of  Canada,  with 
eight  hundred  men,  went  to  the  relief  of  the  place,  but 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  under  Colonel  Warner,  de- 
feated him.  Chamblee  was  surprised  and  taken,  with  six 
tons  of  powder,  by  Brown  and  Livingston,  which  was 
used  to  reduce  St.  John's,  which  surrendered  on  the  2d 
of  November,  and  the  garrison  was  made  prisoners. 
During  the  siege,  Col.  Allen  invested  Montreal,  but  was 
defeated,  taken  prisoner,  and  sent  to  England  in  irons,  to 
be  tried  for  treason. 

General  Montgomery  entered  Montreal  in  triumph,  on 
the  12th  of  November,  and  but  five  days  afterwards,  ele- 
ven sail  of  vessels,  General  Prescott,  several  other  offi- 
cers, and  one  hundred  and  twenty  privates,  a  large  supply 
of  Hour,  beef,  butter,  &c.  cannon,  small  arms,  and  mi- 
litary stores,  were  taken.  All  of  these  were  useful  in 
the  prosecution  of  the  war.  In  the  night,  Governor 
Carleton  escaped  in  a  canoe,  with  muffled  paddles,  and 
shaped  his  course  for  Quebec,  where  he  arrived  in  safety. 

On  the  first  of  December,  General  Montgomery  form- 
ed a  junction  with  Col.  Arnold,  before  Quebec,  and  ope- 
rations to  carry  it  by  storm  were  commenced  on  the  fifth. 
The  garrison  of  this  second  Gibraltar,  consisted  of  fif- 
teen hundred  men,  under  command  of  the  governor. 
Trenches  were  opened  in  the  depth  of  a  Canadian  winter, 
and  the  siege  was  commenced.  A  council  of  war  was 
now  called,  which  acceded  to  the  views  of  the  general, 
and  were  nearly  unanimous  in  resolving  to  take  the  city 
by  assault. 

Arrangements  were  made,  and  on  the  morning  of  thg 
31st,  the  signal  was  given  for  the  attack,  by  a  discharge 
of  rockets.  The  soldiers  advanced  with  firmness,  but 
the  rockets  had  given  warning,  and  the  garrison  were  pre- 
pared to  receive  them.  The  first  division,  commanded  by 
General  Montgomery,  attempted  to  enter  the  lower  town 
by  the  margin  of  the  river.  The  first  battery  was  car- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  173 

ried,  and  the  guard  dispersed.  The  discharge  of  a  single 
gun  from  the  abandoned  battery,  killed  General  Montgo- 
mery, Captains  Macpherson  and  Cheesman,  with  several 
others ;  and  the  troops  being  appalled,  retired,  and  the 
enterprise  was  abandoned.  The  second  division  was 
commanded  by  Colonel  Arnold,  who  entered  the  lower 
town,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  city. 

A  solitary  field-piece,  mounted  on  a  sled,  commanded 
by  Captain  Lamb,  next  entered,  and  the  main  body 
brought  up  the  rear.  Colonel  Arnold  was  wounded  by  a 
musket  ball  in  the  leg,  at  the  head  of  the  brave  band, 
while  forcing  the  first  barrier.  The  bone  was  fractured, 
and  he  retired  from  the  combat.  Colonel  Morgan  now 
took  the  command,  carried  the  first  barrier  by  storm,  and 
assaulted  the  second,  with  a  prospect  of  success,  not 
knowing  the  fate  of  General  Montgomery. 

Majors  Bigelow  and  Meigs  now  came  up  with  about 
two  hundred  men.  The  second  barrier  was  charged, 
amidst  a  shower  of  musketry,  and  the  barrier  was  mount- 
ed. But  to  their  astonishment,  a  forest  of  bristly  bayo- 
nets forbade  their  entering.  On  the  advance,  death 
was  certain,  and  the  danger  of  a  retreat  was  great. 
They  retired  into  adjacent  buildings,  and  defended  them- 
selves until  overpowered  by  numbers,  wheji  they  were 
compelled  to  surrender.  The  general  was  killed,  about 
four  hundred  men  killed  and  wounded,  and,  after  all  their 
labours  and  privations,  the  daring  enterprise  entirely  fail- 
ed. The  loss  of  General  Montgomery  was  severely  felt 
by  the  nation,  and  congress  voted  to  erect  a  monument  to 
his  memory,  which  was  accordingly  done,  and  may  be 
seen  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  New-York. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Revolution  continued. 

IN  October,  1775,  Gen.  Gage  was  succeeded  by  General 
Howe,  in  command  of  the  British  troops  at  Boston,  which 
had  been  blockaded  through  the  winter  by  the  army  under 

15* 


174  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Washington.  Congress  being  desirous  to  support  the 
views  of  the  commander-in-chief,  resolved,  "  That  if  Ge- 
neral Washington,  and  his  council  of  war,  shall  be  of 
opinion,  that  a  successful  attack  may  be  made  upon  the 
troops  in  Boston,  he  should  make  it  in  any  manner  he 
might  think  expedient,  notwithstanding  the  town,  and 
property  in  it,  might  be  destroyed." 

In  the  reply  of  the  general,  he  thus  speaks : — "  It  is 
not  in  the  pages  of  history  to  furnish  a  case  like  ours.  To 
maintain  a  post  within  musket  shot  of  the  enemy,  for  six 
months  together,  without  ammunition,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  disband  one  army,  and  recruit  another,  within 
that  distance  of  twenty  odd  British  regiments,  is  more 
than  probably  ever  was  attempted;  but  if  we  succeed  in 
the  latter,  as  we  have  done  in  the  former,  I  shall  think  it 
one  of  the  most  fortunate  events  of  my  whole  life."  , 

That  we  may  be  able  to  judge  of  the  means  at  this  time 
possessed  by  Washington,  for  offensive  operations,  it  is 
merely  necessary  to  observe,  that  his  whole  force  consist- 
ed of  less  than  nine  thousand  men,  two  thousand  of  whom 
were  utterly  destitute  of  arms.  The  general  pressed 
congress  to  raise  a  regular  army  for  a  stipulated  time,  as 
a  safe  project  on  which  the  country  might  securely  rely. 
The  propriety  of  this  step  was  seen  by  congress,  and,  on 
the  first  of  March,  the  army  numbered  fourteen  thousand, 
and  was  soon  reinforced  by  six  thousand  of  the  militia, 
amounting,  in  all,  to  twenty  thousand.  His  operations 
now  commenced  in  good  earnest.  The  detachment  at 
Roxbury  was  ordered  to  take  possession  of  Dorchestei 
Heights,  while  the  commander-in-chief  was  to  cover  this 
motion  by  a  bombardment  of  the  town.  On  the  night  of 
the  fourth  of  March  this  was  accomplished,  and  works 
thrown  up  which  would  secure  them  from  the  guns  of  the 
enemy. 

The  light  of  day  opened  the  eyes -of  the  commanding 
general  to  the  danger  of  his  situation.  One  of  two  things 
must  be  done,  and  that  immediately.  Either  the  Ameri- 
can troops  must  be  dislodged,  or  Boston  must  be  evacu- 
ated. The  English  admiral  saw  that  the  fleet  was  at  the 
mercy  of  the  provincials,  and  the  general  determined  to 
attempt  a  dislodgement.  Three  thousand  men  were  de- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  175 

tached  for  the  service,  and  Lord  Percy,  who  was  to  com- 
mand the  expedition,  actually  embarked  for  the  execution 
of  the  project.  He  was,  however,  providentially  prevent- 
ed from  the  attempt,  by  the  roughness  of  the  weather.  In 
expectation  of  this,  however,  Washington  had  made  pre- 
parations to  attack  Boston  the  moment  the  British  general 
should  commence  a  hostile  step  in  this  quarter. 

Gen.  Howe,  finding  himself  very  unpleasantly  situated, 
sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  American  head-quarters,  noti- 
fying General  Washington  of  his  intention  to  evacuate 
Boston,  but  threatened  to  destroy  the  town,  in  case  he 
should  be  molested.  On  the  16th,  at  night,  the  British 
troops  embarked,  and  the  next  day  sailed  for  Nantasket 
Roads,  and,  in  a  few  days,  the  whole  fleet  set  sail  for 
Halifax.  Immediately  after  the  evacuation  of  the  Eng- 
lish army,  Washington  entered  the  town,  and  spread  joy 
through  the  colonies. 

The  joy  of  the  inhabitants  was  excessive,  and  the  gene- 
ral was  received  with  every  demonstration  of  gratitude. 
They  were  now  relieved  from  the  abuses  of  an  insolent 
soldiery,  and  from  the  distresses  occasioned  by  hunger. 
A  resolution  was  passed  in  congress,  expressing  the 
thanks  of  the  nation,  and  a  gold  medal  was  ordered  to 
be  struck,  with  an  appropriate  device,  commemorating 
the  event,  which  should  be  presented  to  the  commander- 
in-chief. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  royal  governors  at  the  south 
were  not  idle.  Lord  Dunmore,  of  Virginia,  endeavoured 
to  counterwork  the  revolution.  But  he  was  compelled 
by  the  patriots  of  that  state  to  relinquish  the  attempt,  and 
to  go  on  board  the  fleet  for  safety.  Chagrined  at  his  de- 
feat, he  determined  to  avenge  the  affront,  and,  on  the  night 
of  the  first  of  January,  1776,  he  caused  fire  to  be  set  to 
Norfolk,  which  was  destroyed.  These  depredations  were 
continued  until  they  disgusted  the  most  loyal  of  his  party, 
when  he  departed  with  his  booty  of  about  one  thousand 
negroes,  for  Florida  and  the  Bermudas.  In  North  Caro- 
lina, the  governor  attempted  the  same  play,  but  his  plot 
was  defeated,  and  the  insurrection  was  suppressed  by  the 
patriotism  and  intelligence  of  the  people. 

About  the  middle  of  February,  the  American  navy, 


1 76  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

under  Commodore  Hopkins,  set  sail  from  Cape  Henlopen, 
and  soon  surprised  and  dismantled  a  fort  in  New-Provi- 
dence, taking  off  forty  pieces  of  iron  ordnance,  and  fif- 
teen brass  mortars.  The  governor,  lieutenant  governor, 
and  one  counsellor,  fell  into  the  power  of  the  Commo- 
dore. In  the  fore  part  of  March,  the  fleet  captured  a 
British  schooner,  and,  the  next  day,  took  a  bomb  brig, 
laden  with  arms  and  military  stores.  On  the  day  prece- 
ding, the  fleet  engaged  a  sloop  of  war  carrying  20  guns, 
but  night  separated  them,  and  the  next  day  the  sloop 
escaped  into  Newport. 

When  the  intelligence  of  the  two  first  battles  between 
the  British  and  the  colonists  reached  Great  Britain,  with 
the  information  that  General  Washington  was  appointed 
commander-in-chief,  the  impressions  on  the  people  and 
the  government  were  very  serious.  The  king  and  the 
ministry,  however,  determined  to  carry  on  the  war.  On 
the  26th  of  October  the  parliament  was  convened,  and 
the  speech  of  the  king  evidently  supported  the  unnatural 
controversy.  In  both  houses  the  opposition  was  strong, 
but  the  ministry  prevailed,  and  the  supplies  were  granted. 
Sir  Peter  Parker,  and  Earl  Cornwallis,  sailed  from  Ports- 
mouth in  December,  for  Ireland,  with  the  ships  Acteon 
and  Thunderbomb,  as  a  convoy  for  the  transports,  with 
four  thousand  troops,  intended  for  service  in  the  colonies. 
In  this  fleet  came  Colonel  Allen,  who  had  been  confined 
in  Pendinnis  Castle,  Cornwall,  and  treated  with  much 
severity.  A  subscription  was  opened  for  him,  and  his 
companions,  in  Ireland,  which  was  the  first  humane  atten- 
tion he  had  received  since  his  imprisonment. 

About  this  time,  the  bargain  with  the  King  of  England, 
for  17,000  men  to  be  employed  in  this  war,  by  the  Prince 
of  Hesse  Cassel,  the  Duke  of  Brunswick,  and  other 
German  princes,  was  sanctioned  in  parliament,  by  a  vote 
of  242  to  88.  In  the  spring  of  1776,  two  divisions  of 
these  mercenaries  sailed  to  America.  The  estimate  for 
the  service  against  the  liberties  of  America,  amounted  to 
60,000  men. 

The  Cork  fleet* under  the  convoy  of  Admiral  Parker, 
arrived  in  Cape  Fear  River  on  the  3d  of  May,  where 
they  were  joined  by  General  Clinton,  from  the  northern 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  177 

army.  On  the  5th,  the  offer  of  pardon,  on  certain  con- 
ditions, was  published  by  the  general,  but,  finding  his 
efforts  to  stem  the  tide  of  popular  feeling  of  little  avail, 
the  fleet  sailed  for  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  anchored  off 
Sullivan's  Island  about  the  first  of  June.  The  siege  of 
Charleston  was  opened  by  the  offer  of  pardon,  as  in 
North  Carolina,  and  with  equal  effect.  The  day  of  pro- 
clamations and  smooth  words  had  come  too  late. 

Governor  Rutledge  had  prepared  for  a  vigorous  de- 
fence, and  the  militia  cheerfully  rallied  around  the  flag  of 
their  country.  At  this  critical  moment  General  Lee  ap- 
peared at  the  head  of  some  northern  regiments,  and  took 
the  command  of  Charleston.  The  enemy  crossed  the 
bar  on  the  26th  of  June,  with  a  number  of  ships  and  fri- 
gates, and  operations  were  commenced  with  little  delay. 
The  fire  from  the  American  fort  and  batteries,  however, 
was  too  galling,  and  the  squadron  was  compelled  to  with- 
draw, after  the  loss  of  one  fifty  gun  ship,  and  a  damage 
to  others,  which  rendered  them  for  the  present  useless. 
One  may  form  an  estimate  of  the  contest,  by  learning  the 
fact  that  7000  loose  balls  were  picked  up  on  Sullivan' 
Island  after  the  battle. 

The  garrison  in  the  fort  consisted  of  about  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  regulars,  and  a  few  militia,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Moultrie.  The  fortification  mounted 
but  twenty-six  nine  pounders,  and  the  British  had  two 
ship's  of  fifty  guns  each,  four  frigates  of  twenty-eight 
guns  each,  and  some  smaller  vessels. 

This  severe  repulse  obtained  a  respite  from  the  cala- 
mities of  war,  for  more  than  two  years,  in  the  southern 
states. 

Of  those  who  deserve  an  honourable  notice  in  this  ac- 
tion, Sergeant  Jasper  must  not  be  forgotten.  During  the 
heat  of  the  engagement,  the  flag-staff  was  shot  away,  and 
fell  into  the  ditch.  The  inhabitants  of  Charleston  consi- 
dered this  as  a  token  of  submission.  When  the  intrepid 
sergeant  discovered  it,  he  jumped  into  the  ditch,  seized 
the  flug,  secured  it  to  a  sponge-staff,  and  erected  it  again 
in  the  heat  of  the  action.  For  this  act  of  bravery,  the 
£<  -vernor,  the  next  day,  presented  him  a  sword. 

of  this  battle  led  to  the  declaration  of  inde- 


178  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

pendence.  It  had  blown  the  spark  of  liberty  into  a  steady 
flame,  and  prepared  the  minds  of  the  people  for  an  event 
to  which  many  looked  with  the  deepest  solicitude.  The 
spirit  which  lived  in  congress,  was  united  by  instructions 
from  the  colonies,  and  the  country  now  seemed  ripe  for 
entire  separation  from  the  mother  country.  A  resolution 
was  moved  in  congress  by  Richard  Henry  Lee,  and  se- 
conded by  John  Adams,  in  the  following  words,  wfflteh 
passed  unanimously. 

"  Resolved,  that  these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right 
ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  states  ;  and  that  all  po- 
litical connexion  between  them  and  Great  Britain  is,  and 
ought  to  be,  dissolved." 

In  defence  of  this  motion,  Mr.  Lee  addressed  the  house 
in  a  very  animated  strain,  which  he  closed  in  the  follow- 
ing language  : — "  Why  then  do  we  longer  delay — why 
still  deliberate  ?  Let  this  happy  day  give  birth  to  the 
American  republic.  Let  her  arise,  not  to  devastate  and 
conquer,  but  to  re-establish  the  reign  of  peace,  and  of  the 
laws.  The  eyes  of  Europe  are.  fixed  upon  us  ;  she  de- 
mands of  us  a  living  example  of  freedom,  that  may  con- 
trast, by  the  felicity  of  the  citizens,  with  the  ever  increas- 
ing tyranny  which  desolates  her  polluted  shores.  She 
invites  us  to  prepare  an  asylum,  where  the  unhappy  may 
find  solace,  and  the  persecuted  repose.  She  entreats  us 
to  cultivate  a  propitious  soil,  where  that  generous  plant, 
which  first  sprang  up  and  grew  in  England,  but  is  now 
withered  by  the  poisonous  blasts  of  Scottish  tyranny, 
may  revive  and  flourish,  sheltering,  under  its  salubrious 
and  interminable  shade,  all  the  unfortunate  of  the  human 
race. 

"  This  is  the  end  presaged  by  so  many  omens,  by  our 
first  victories,  by  the  present  ardour  and  union,  by  the 
flight  of  Howe,  and  the  pestilence  which  broke  out 
amongst  Dunmore's  people,  by  the  very  winds  which  baf- 
fled the  enemy's  fleets  and  transports,  and  that  terrible 
tempest  which  ingulfed  seven  hundred  vessels  upon  the 
coast  of  Newfoundland.  If  we  are  not  this  day  wanting 
in  our  duty  to  our  country,  the  names  of  the  American 
legislators  will  be  placed,  by  posterity,  at  the  side  of 
those  of  Theseus,  of  Lycurgus,  of  Romulus,  of  Numa, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  179 

of  the  three  Williams  of  Nassau,  and  of  all  those  whose 
memory  has  been,  and  will  be,  for  ever  dear  to  virtuous 
men,  and  good  citizens." 

The  members  of  congress  from  Pennsylvania  and  Ma- 
ryland, were  not  present,  and  the  deliberations  on  the 
subject  were  postponed  to  the  first  of  July.  On  that  day 
the  discussion  was  renewed,  and,  on  the  fourth  of  July, 
1776,  the  report  of  the  special  committee  was  adopted, 
dissolving  the  allegiance  of  the  colonies  to  the  British 
crown,  and  declaring  them  free  and  independent^  under 
the  style  of  the  Thirteen  United  States  of  America. 
The  committee  who  drafted  this  instrument,  consisted  of 
Messrs.  Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Adams,  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin, Roger  Sherman,  and  Philip  Livingston. 

This  declaration  was  signed  by  all  the  members  of  con- 
gress, whose  names,  and  the  states  to  which  they  respec- 
tively belonged,  were  as  follows  : 

John  Hancock,  President,  from  Massachusetts. 
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  William  Paca, 

Josiah  Bartlett,  Thomas  Stone, 

William  Whipple,  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton. 

Matthew  Thornton.  VIRGINIA. 

MASSACHUSETTS.  George  Wythe, 

Samuel  Adams,  Richard  Henry  Lee, 

John  Adams,  Thomas  Jefferson, 

Robert  Treat  Paine,  Benjamin  Harrison, 

Elbridge  Gerry.  Thomas  Nelson,  Jr. 

RHODE  ISLAND.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee, 

Stephen  Hopkins,  Carter  Braxton. 

William  Ellery.  NEW-YORK. 

CONNECTICUT.  William  Floyd, 

Roger  Sherman,  Philip  Livingston, 

Samuel  Huntington,  Francis  Lewis, 

William  Williams,  Lewis  Morris. 

Oliver  Wolcott.  NEW-JERSEY. 

DELAWARE.  Richard  Stockton, 

Caesar  Rodney,  John  Witherspoon, 

George  Read.  Francis  Hopkinson, 

MARYLAND.  John  Hart, 

Samuel  Chase,  Abrahams  €lark. 


180  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

PENNSYLVANIA.  Joseph  HeW6S, 

Robert  Morris,  John  Penn. 

Benjamin  Rush,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Benjamin  Franklin,  Edward  Rutledge, 

John  Morton,  Thomas  Hay  ward,  Jr. 

George  Clymer,  Thomas  Lynch,  Jr. 

James  Smith,  Arthur  Middleton. 

George  Taylor,  GEORGIA. 

James  Wilson,  Button  Gwinnett, 

George  Ross.  Lyman  Hall, 

NORTH  CAROLINA.          George  Walton. 
William  Hooper, 

This  declaration  was  received  by  the  people  with  trans- 
ports of  joy.  Public  rejoicings  took  place  in  various 
parts  of  the  Union.  In  New- York,  the  statue  of  George 
III.  was  taken  down,  and  the  lead,  of  which  it  was  coin- 
posed,  was  converted  into  musket-balls.  In  Boston,  the 
garrison  was  drawn  up  in  King's-street,  which,  from  that 
moment,  took  the  name  of  State-street,  and  thirteen  sa- 
lutes, by  thirteen  detachments,  into  which  the  troops 
were  formed,  were  fired  ;  the  bells  of  the  town  were 
rung,  in  token  of  felicitation,  and  the  evening  concluded 
with  the  tearing  in  pieces  and  burning  the  ensigns  of  roy- 
alty— lions,  sceptres,  and  crowns. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Revolution  continued. — Capture  of  New-York. 

ON  the  evacuation  of  Boston  by  General  Howe,  Wash- 
ington suspected  that  the  possession  of  New- York  would 
be  a  favourite  object.  To  prevent  this,  if  possible,  he 
determined  to  make  that  city  his  head-quarters,  and  thus 
to  prevent  its  occupation  by  the  British  general.  He  ac- 
cordingly soon  removed  to  that  city,  with  the  principal 
part  of  his  army. 

On  the  28th  of  June,  General  Howe  arrived  at  Sandy- 
Hook,  near  New- York,  with  his  armament  from  Halifax, 
where  he  was  joined  by  his  brother,  Lord  Howe,  on  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  181 

I2th  of  July,  with  another  armament.  By  the  latter  ar- 
rival, the  two  brothers  were  clothed  with  powers  to  treat 
with  the  United  States,  collectively  or  separately.  A 
flag  was  despatched  to  Amboy,  to  announce  his  commis- 
sion. This  circular  was  communicated  to  Congress  by 
General  Washington. 

The  American  army  at  New-York  amounted  to  little 
more  than  seventeen  thousand  men,  apart  of  which  force 
was  encamped  at  Brooklyn,  on  Long  Island.  The  com- 
bined forces  of  the  British  amounted  to  twenty-four  thou- 
sand, which  weie  landed  near  the  Narrows,  nine  miles 
from  the  city,  on  the  2d  of  August.  On  the  27th,  the 
British  forces,  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Percy,  and 
Cornwallis,  attacked  the  American  camp  at  Long-Island, 
which  was  defended  by  Brigadier-General  Sullivan, 
who  was  defeated,  with  the  loss  of  more  than  a  thousand 
men,  while  the  loss  of  the  British  was  less  than  four 
hundred.  Brigadier-Generals  Lord  Stirling  and  Wood- 
hull  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English.  General  Wash- 
ington perceived  with  anguish,  what  would  be  the  result 
of  the  battle,  but  he  dare  not  draw  off  more  troops  from 
the  city,  as  he  would  not  even  by  that  measure,  be  able 
to  cope  with  the  British.  On  both  sides,  this  battle  was 
expected.  On  the  22d,  the  British  effected  a  landing  at 
Utrecht,  near  the  Narrows,  under  cover  of  the  ships,  and 
every  preparation  was  made  to  meet  them  manfully. 
Colonel  Hand  was  ordered  to  the  high  ground,  in  order  to 
protect  the  pass  leading  to  Flatbush.  Lord  Cornwallis 
was  ordered  to  secure  this  pass,  if  it  could  be  done  with- 
out an  engagement.  He  halted  at  the  village,  finding  that 
the  pass  was  secured  by  the  Americans.  On  this  occasion, 
Washington  issued  the  following  orders  : 

"  The  enemy  have  now  landed  upon  Long  Island,  the 
hour  is  fast  approaching  in  which  the  honour  and  success 
of  this  army,  and  the  safety  of  our  bleeding  country,  de- 
pend. Remember,  officers  and  soldiers,  that  you  are  free- 
men, fighting  for  the  blessing  of  liberty  ;  that  slavery  will 
be  your  portion,  and  that  of  your  posterity,  if  you  do  not 
acquit  yourselves  like  men.  Remember  how  your  courage 
has  been  despised  and  traduced  by  your  cruel  invaders, 
though  they  have  found  by  dear  experience  at  Boston, 

16 


182  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Charlestown,  and  other  places,  what  a  few  brave  men  can 
do  in  their  own  land,  and  in  the  best  of  causes,  against 
hirelings  and  mercenaries.  Be  cool,  be  determined.  Do 
not  fire  at  a  distance,  but  wait  for  orders  from  your  officers." 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  a  pitched  battle.  The 
American  camp  was  strengthened  by  six  additional  regi- 
ments, and  all  things  put  in  readiness  for  an  immediate 
ttack.  The  result  of  the  battle  has  already  been  related. 
It  left  the  American  camp  in  the  power  of  the  British, 
who  might  easily  have  taken  it  by  an  assault,  which 
was  threatened. 

On  the  night  of  the  28th,  the  British  invested  the  camp 
in  due  form.  General  Washington  spent  the  next  day 
in  camp,  and  on  the  night  of  the  29th,  effected  a  most 
masterly  retreat  to  New- York,  under  cover  of  a  dense  fog. 
The  rear  guard  only  was  discovered  by  the  British,  and 
too  much  advanced  to  be  affected  by  the  shot. 

On  the  2d  of  September,  two  regiments  of  Americans 
evacuated  Governor's  Island,  near  New-York,  with  their 
arms  and  stores,  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  British 
fleet,  with  the  loss  of  only  an  arm  bv  one  man. 

This  was  indeed  an  eventful  crisis*  The  fate  of  America 
appeared  suspended  on  the  issue  of  a  single  battle.  The 
reverses  experienced  wrought  upon  the  feelings  of  the 
soldiers.  The  militia  deserted  their  colours,  and  abandon- 
ed their  general.  Sickness  and  desertion  reduced  the 
army,  and  dispirited  the  officers.  Those  whose  term  of 
service  had  expired,  left  the  duties  of  the  camp,  and  re- 
turned to  their  homes,  and  a  gloom  was  gathering  over 
the  just  risen  hopes  of  America.  Washington  passed  two 
days  and  nights  without  sleep  or  rest,  principally  on  horse- 
back, superintending  every  movement,  and  watching  every 
event. 

On  the  contrary,  the  late  success  elated  the  British  in 
proportion  to  the  despondency'  of  the  Americans.  The 
movements  of  the  British  threatened  lo  cut  off  the  retreat 
of  the  continentals.  General  Washington  was  led  to 
abandon  his  unsafe  position  in  the  city,  and  after  some 
successful  skirmishes  retired  to  White  Plains,  in  West 
Chester  County,  about  thirty  miles  from  New-York. 
The  enemy  landed,  and  took  possession  of  the  city,  a» 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  183 

the   Americans  retreated.      A  garrison  was  left  at  Fort 
Washington;  about  ten  miles  from  the  city,  on  the  Island. 

General  Howe,  being  reinforced  by  a  division  or  two 
of  Germans,  marched  towards  the  American  army,  en- 
camped at  White  Plains.  On  the  28th  of  October,  a 
general  skirmish  commenced  between  the  advanced  par- 
ties. On  the  29th,  the  general  moved  in  columns  to  the 
support  of  his  van,  and  to  bring  on  a  general  engage- 
ment. General  Washington  kept  him  at  bay  until  the 
3 1st,  when  he  retired  to  higher  ground,  and  left  a  strong 
rear  guard  to  cover  White  Plains.  The  British  now  aban- 
doned the  enterprise,  and  on  the  8th  of  November  drew 
off  his  army  towards  Kingsbridge.  On  the  15th,  he  sent 
a  summons  to  Colonel  Magraw,  commanding  Fort  Wash- 
ington, and  the  next  day  stormed  the  fort,  and  put  the 
garrison  to  the  sword. 

General  Washington  beheld  the  awful  scene,  and  wept 
with  the  feelings  of  a  compassionate  father.  The  shock 
was  felt  with  the  keenest  sensibility  throughout  the  Ame- 
rican army,  and  even  General  Lee  wept  with  indignation 
at  the  news  of  the  merciless  butchery,  and  cursed  the 
unrelenting  foe. 

On  the  18th,  Lord  Cornwallis  moved  to  the  attack  of 
Fort  Lee ;  but  General  Greene  drew  off  the  garrison, 
abandoned  the  fort,  and  joined  General  Washington.  On 
the  22d,  General  Washington  crossed  North  River,  and 
retired  to  Newark,  where  he  found  himself  almost  aban- 
doned by  the  army,  and  left  to  the  mercy  of  a  victorious, 
pursuing  enemy,  with  only  about  three  thousand  five  hun- 
dred men  to  accompany  him  in  his  flight.  On  the  28th, 
General  Washington  retired  to  Brunswick,  and  Lord 
Cornwallis  entered  Newark  with  his  victorious  army. 
His  lordship  pursued  to  Brunswick,  and  General  Wash 
ington  retired  to  Princeton,  December  1st.  Lord  Corn 
wallis  halted  one  whole  week  at  Brunswick,  agreeable  to 
orders  :  and,  in, the  mean  time,  General  Washington  saw 
himself  abandoned  by  the  Jersey  and  Maryland  brigades 
of  militia,  whose  terms  of  service  then  expired. 

On  the  7th,  his  lordship  pursued  to  Princeton,  and 
General  Washington  retired  to  Trenton.  The  next  day 
his  lordship  entered  Trenton,  just  at  the  critical  moment 


184  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

that  General  Washington,  with  his  remnant  of  an  army, 
had  crossed  the  Delaware,*  and  secured  the  boats  to  pre- 
vent his  passing,!  December  8th,  1770. 

General  Howe  had  joined  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Newark, 
and  now  made  a  s'tand  at  Princeton,  and  issued  the  pro- 
clamation of  the  king's  commissioners,  proffering  pardon 
and  peace  to  all  such  as  should  submit  in  sixty  days. 

Such  were  the  distresses  of  the  army,  and  the  country, 
when  they  saw  their  liberties  about  to  expire  under  the 
pressure  of  an  overwhelming  foe,  that  men  of  the  first 
distinction,  in  great  numbers,  in  that,  part  of  the  country, 
embraced  the  overture,  and  made  their  submission. 

To  add  to  the  distresses  of  this  most  trying  scene,  Ge- 
neral Lee,  who  had  harassed  the  rear  of  the  British  army, 
with  about  three  thousand  men,  was  now  surprised  in  his 
quarters,  and  taken  by  the  enemy,  December  13th.  The 
troops  of  General  Lee,  now  under  the  command  of  Gene- 
ral Sullivan,  joined  General  Washington. 

During  the  delay  of  General  Howe  at  Trenton,  Gene- 
ral Washington,  with  the  assistance  of  General  Mifflin, 
collected  a  body  of  Pennsylvania  militia,  and  resolved  to 
make  a  stand,  to  recover,  if  possible,  the  spirits  of  the 
army  and  nation.  * 

On  the  night  of  the  25th,  General  Washington,  under 
cover  of  a  violent  snow  storm,  recrossed  the  Delaware, 
commenced  an  attack  upon  the  British  army,  and  gained  a 
signal  victory  ;  took  about  one  thousand  prisoners,  inclu- 
ding an  entire  regiment  of  Germans,  with  their  whole  en- 
campment, and  secured  his  position  at  Trenton. 

The  enemy  soon  recovered  their  shock  by  large  rein- 
forcements, and  General  Washington  retired  to  Prince- 
ton by  a  circuitous  march,  triumphed  over  the  enemy 
again,  and  pursued  them  to  Brunswick.  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis collected  all  his  forces  at  Brunswick,  and  made  a  stand. 
General  Washington  took  up  his  position  at  Morristown, 
and  watched  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 

During  these   operations  in  New-Jersey,   the  British 

*  General  Washington  could  muster  only  two  thousand  two  hundred 
men  at  this  time. 

t  The  same  day  General  Prescott,  with  a  strong-  British  force,  took 
possession  of  Newport,  (Rhode  Island.) 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  185 

army  had  thrown  up  the  rein,  and  given  full  scope  to  the 
brutal  passions.  This  roused  the  indignation  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  rekindled  the  fire  of  Lexington,  which  spread 
like  lightning  through  the  country.  New-Jersey  then 
exhibited  a  scene  which  was  considered  but  the  miniature 
of  what  the  nation  would  exhibit  should  Britain  prevail. 
Husbands  saw  the  fate  of  their  wives  ;  parents  of  their 
daughters  ;  and  the  nation  became  most  seriously  alarmed 
for  their  safety,  and  more  immediately  alive  to  the  inte- 
rest of  the  common  cause.  New-Jersey  felt  the  wound 
she  had  received,  and  roused  to  the  combat,  to  avenge 
her  wrongs  upon  the  brutal  foe. 

General  Washington  surprised  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Eliza- 
bethtown,  and  he  retired  to  Amboy,  where  he  was 
closely  invested  through  the  winter.  In  June  following, 
General  Howe  drew  off  his  army  to  Staten  Island,  and 
the  Jerseys  were  cleared. 

In  April,  General  Howe  detached  Governor  Tryon, 
with  the  command  of  a  major-general  of  provincials,  at 
the  head  of  about  two  thousand  men,  to  destroy  the  Ame- 
rican stores  at  Danbury.  The  general  executed  this  com- 
mission, and  destroyed  one  thousand  eight  hundred  bar- 
rels of  beef,  two  thousand  bushels  of  wheat,  eight  hun- 
dred barrels  of  flour,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  tents, 
one  hundred  hogsheads  of  rum,  &.c.  with  the  loss  of 
about  four  hundred  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken  by 
the  Americans. 

But  this  expedition  cost  the  British  a  severe  loss. 
Three  generals  were  in  the  neighbourhood,  Wooster, 
Arnold,  and  Sullivan.  About  six  hundred  militia  were 
collected  in  great  haste,  and  followed  in  pursuit  about  two 
miles,  during  a  heavy  rain.  The  next  morning  the  troops 
were  divided.  'Wooster  fell  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy, 
while  Arnold  was  posted' at  Ridgefield,  in  their  front. 
W  ooster  attacked  the  enemy,  and  was  mortally  wounded 
in  the  contest ;  the  troops  had  to  retreat.  Arnold  gave 
them  a  severe  reception  at  Ridgefield,  and  was  repulsed, 
but  renewed  the  attack  during  the  next  day. 

The  yeomanry  of  the  country  through  which  they  pas- 
sed towards  the  Sound,  constantly  annoyed  them,  and 
they  made  a  precipitate  retreat  to  their  ships,  which  con- 
16* 


186  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

veyed  them  to  New-York.  They  lost,  in  killed,  wound- 
ed, and  missing,  about  one  hundred  and  seventy ;  while 
the  loss  of  the  Americans  did  not  exceed  one  hundred. 
General  Wooster  lingered  until  the  2d  of  May,  and  ex- 
pired in  his  seventieth  year.  A  monument  was  voted  to 
his  memory  by  Congress,  and  a  horse,  splendidly  capari- 
soned, was  presented  to  Arnold,  as  a  token  of  respect  for 
his  intrepidity  and  good  conduct. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Evacuation  of  Canada — Capture  of  Burgoyne,  and  fall 
of  Philadelphia. 

WE  must  now  return  to  the  affairs  in  the  north.  Ge- 
neral Montgomery  fell  at  Quebec,  and  the  command  de- 
volved on  Colonel  Arnold,  who  had  been  badly  wounded. 
But  he  was  removed  to  Montreal,  and  was  succeeded  by 
General  Thomas.  He  soon  died,  and  General  Sullivan 
was  appointed  in  his  place.  The  small  pox,  with  other 
diseases,  reduced  the  number  of  men  to  four  hundred. 
The  siege  was  raised,  and  this  handful  of  men  was  com- 
pelled to  retreat  for  Montreal. 

A  reinforcement  had  arrived  from  England,  and  the 
army  in  Canada  was  now  thirteen  thousand  strong.  With 
this  force  Governor  Carleton,  with  Generals  Burgoyne, 
Frazer,  Phillips,  and  Reicfesel,  advanced  in  different  di- 
visions, in  pursuit  of  Sullivan.  General  Frazer  took 
post  at  Trois  Rivieres,  when  the  Americans  attempted  a 
surprise,  but  it  miscarried,  and  General  Thompson  was 
left  in  the  hands  of  the  English.  Carleton  pursued  with 
his  whole  force,  but  the  retreat  of  Sullivan  was  secured, 
and  he  reached  the  River  Sorel  in  safety,  where  he  was  met 
by  Arnold  from  Montreal.  The  troops,  baggage,  and 
cannon,  were  embarked,  and  they  made  a  stand  at  Crown 
Point,  on  the  15th  of  June,  1776. 

In  the  fore  part  of  July,  General  Sullivan  left  the  com- 
mand of  the  northern  army,  and  was  succeeded  by  Gene- 
ral Gates.  The  army  was  diminished  more  than  5000, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  187 

and  the  ravages  of  the  small  pox  were  dreadfully  alarm- 
ing. About  three  hundred  sick  were  removed  to  Fort 
George.  The  exertions  of  Governor  Carleton  to  prepare 
his  fleet  to  meet  the  Americans  on  the  lake,  were  great 
and  unceasing.  Early  in  October,  troops  were  embarked, 
and  operations  commenced.  A  sharp  action  ensued 
near  Valicour  island,  and  much  valour  was  displayed  on 
both  sides.  But  the  Americans  were  overpowered,  dis- 
persed, taken,  or  destroyed,  which  enabled  the  enemy 
to  approach  Ticonderoga,  on  the  llth  of  October.  But 
this  victory  was  not  followed  up  with  spirit.  Hostile 
operations  were  suspended  for  the  season,  and  the  go- 
vernor retired  into  Canada.  To  the  honour  of  the  go- 
vernor we  would  here  record  his  humanity  to  his  prisoners, 
who  were  often  dismissed  with  kindness,  and  furnished 
with  necessaries  to  reach  their  friends  in  the  United 
States.  These  traits  in  his  character  are  worthy  of  per- 
petual remembrance  and  gratitude. 

General  Gates  discharged  the  militia,  and  the  campaign 
was  closed. 

General  Burgoyne  succeeded  to  the  command  after 
Carleton,  in  the  spring  of  1777.  Operations  -were  com- 
menced early  at  the  head  of  ten  thousand  men,  English 
and  German,  commanded  by  Generals  Phillips,  Frazer, 
Powel,  Hamilton,  and  by  the  German  generals,  Reidesel 
and  Spicht.  The  army  was  well  appointed,  and  well 
supplied  with  every  facility  to  ensure  a  successful  cam- 
paign. The  troops  were  in  line  health  and  high  spirits. 
To  this  powerful  armament  were  attached  several  tribes 
of  Indians,  who  were  to  take  the  field  on  conditions  of 
humanity ;  they  were  not  to  scalp  the  wounded,  nor  their 
prisoners;  but  a  bounty  was  to  be  given  for  every  pri- 
soner taken  and  brought  in  alive.  In  June  the  army  ar- 
rived at  Crown  Point,  and  on  the  19th,  operations  were 
commenced  against  Ticonderoga. 

General  Gates  was  succeeded  in  his  command  by  Gene- 
ral Schuyler,  who  placed  this  fortress  in  good  order  for 
defence,  and  gave  the  command  to  General  St.  Clair. 
The  fort  was  approached  on  the  right  wing  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  on  the  2d  of  July,  and  possession  taken  of 
Mount  Defiance.  This  lies  contiguous  to  Ticonderoga, 


188  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  overlooks  the  fortress.  This  mount  had  hitherto 
been  deemed  inaccessible,  and  had  remained  unoccupied. 
Cannon  were  hoisted  by  Cackles,  until  the  force  was  suffi- 
cient to  dislodge  the  garrison.  To  save  the  men,  the  fort 
was  now  abandoned,  and  the  American  force  retired  to 
Hubbardston,  and  thence  to  Castleton,  where  a  stand  was 
made,  about  thirty  miles  from  Ticonderoga. 

General  Frazer,  supported  by  General  Reidesel,  com- 
menced a  pursuit  in  the  morning,  with  the  light  troops 
of  the  British  and  Germans,  and  overtook  the  American 
rear  guard  under  Colonel  Warner,  at  Castleton,  and  com- 
menced an  attack  on  the  7th,  which  became  sharp  and 
bloody.  The  British  were  routed  at  first,  with  loss  ;  but 
finding  that  Colonel  Warner  was  not  supported  by  Gene- 
ral St.  Clair,  they  rallied  to  the  combat,  and  with  the  bayo- 
net, charged  and  dispersed  the  American  rear  with  the 
loss  of  about  three  hundred  men ;  and  Colonel  Warner 
retired  with  the  remainder  of  his  troops  to  Fort  Ann. 

General  Burgoyne,  with  the  main  body  of  the  British 
army,  sailed  from  Ticonderoga,  in  pursuit  of  the  Ameri- 
can fleet ;  destroyed  and  dispersed  the  whole,  and  land- 
ed at  Skeensborough,  now  Whitehall.  He  there  detached 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Hill,  with  a  strong  party,  to  dislodge 
the  Americans  from  Fort  Ann.  The  garrison  marched 
out  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  and  commenced  an  attack 
upon  the  detachment,  which  was  sharply  supported  by 
both  parties,  for  about  two  hours,  with  apparent  success 
on  the  part  of  the  Americans  ;  but  a  party  of  Indians  ap- 
peared and  joined  Colonel  Hill,  and  the  Americans  with- 
drew from  the  field,  abandoned  the  fortress,  and  retired 
to  Fort  Edward,  July  12th.  The  whole  force  at  this  time, 
at  Fort  Edward,  did  not  exceed  5000  men. 

The  operations  of  both  armies,  were  now  commenced 
with  vigour.  In  his  retreat,  the  American  general  destroy- 
ed bridges,  and  obstructed  the  roads,  to  impede  the  pur- 
suit of  Burgoyne;  but  all  these  difficulties  were  surmount- 
ed, and  on  the  30th,  the  British  force  reached  Fort  Ed- 
ward, which  had  been  abandoned  by  Schuyler  on  the  27th. 
He  retired  to  Saratoga,  and  on  the  first  of  August,  re- 
moved to  Stillwater,  only  twenty-five  miles  north  of 
Albany.  The  nation  saw  with  deep  regret,  that  this  rem- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  189 

nant  of  an  army  was  compelled  to  flee  before  a  victorious 
enemy,  and  that  those  important  fortresses  were  abandon- 
ed. These  events  greatly  depressed  the  spirits  of  our 
countrymen,  while  the  foe  exulted  in  the  triumph. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  Colonel  St.  Ledger  was  detached 
by  General  Burgoyne  against  Fort  Stanwix,  as  a  diver- 
sion. To  relieve  the  fort,  the  general  was  ordered  down 
with  eight  hundred  militia.  Near  the  fort  he  fell  into  an 
Indian  ambush,  and  was  killed  in  a  most  severe  action. 
The  garrison  sallied  out,  decided  the  sanguinary  contest, 
drove  the  Indians,  and  relieved  the  fortress.  The  colo- 
nel sent  a  summons  to  the  fort  to  surrender,  but  Colonel 
Gansevoort  returned  a  prompt  and  spirited  reply,  and  St. 
Ledger  withdrew  precipitately,  and  returned  to  the  lake. 

During  these  movements,  General  Washington  detach- 
ed General  Lincoln  to  the  northward,  to  take  command 
of  such  eastern  militia  as  might  join  the  northern  army. 
General  Lincoln  arrived  at  Manchester,  on  the  2d  of  Au- 
gust, where  he  took  the  command  of  six  hundred  militia, 
and  on  the  6th,  he  was  joined  by  General  Stark,  with 
eight  hundred  more. 

General  Stark  was  a  soldier  of  merit,  and  had  deserved 
well  of  his  country,  by  his  distinguished  services  in  the 
famous  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill;  but  he  had  felt  himself 
wounded  by  the  neglect  of  Congress,  after  the  battle,  and 
retired  from  service.  He  engaged  at  this  time  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country,  upon  the  express  condition  that  he 
should  not  be  constrained  to  serve  under  a  continental 
officer  ;  he  accordingly  resisted  the  pressing  solicitations 
of  General  Schuyler,  to  join  him  in  checking  the  progress 
of  General  Burgoyne. 

Congress  interposed  in  this  controversy;  and  at  this 
eventful  moment,  General  Burgoyne  detached  Colonel 
Baum,  with  five  hundred  Germans,  and  one  hundred  In- 
dians, to  seize  on  the  American  stores  at  Bennington,  to 
enable  him  to  pursue  his  march  to  Albany.  General 
Stark  was  apprised  of  this  movement,  and  sent  expresses 
to  collect  the  neighbouring  militia,  and  marched  to  meet 
the  enemy  on  the  14th,  supported  by  Colonels  Warner, 
Williams,  and  Brush.  The  advance  parties  of  the  two  ar- 
mies met,  and  commenced  a  skirmishing,  that  continued 
through  the  day. 


190  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  the  15th,  all  operations  were  suspended  by  the  ex- 
cessive rains  that  fell ;  but  on  the  16th,  General  Stark  was 
joined  by  the  Berkshire  militia,  under  Colonel  Symonds, 
and  he  detached  Nichols  to  take  post  in  the  rear  of  the 
enemy,  on  the  left ;  Colonel  Hendrick  to  take  post  in  the 
rear  of  his  right,  to  be  supported  by  Colonels  Hubbard 
and  Stickley,  still  further  on  the  right.  About  3  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  General  Stark  commenced  an  attack 
upon  the  enemy,  strongly  intrenched,  and  supported  by 
two  field  pieces.  The  attack  became  general,  and  was 
valiantly  supported  on  both  sides  ;  the  Indians  fled  ;  the 
Germans  were  overpowered,  forced  from  their  intrench- 
ments,  and  put  to  flight.  The  militia,  flushed  with  the  suc- 
cesses of  the  day,  abandoned  the  pursuit,  and  gave  them- 
selves up  to  plunder. 

At  this  eventful  moment,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Breyman 
joined  Colonel  Baum  with  a  reinforcement ;  they  rallied 
to  the  charge,  and  renewed  the  combat.  Colonel  Warner 
led  on  his  regiment  of  continentals,  at  this  critical  mo- 
ment, and  supported  the  action  until  the  militia  could  re- 
cover their  order,  and  advance  to  the  charge.  The  ac- 
tion soon  became  general,  and  continued  through  the  day. 
The  Germans  again  gave  way,  and  secured  their  retreat 
under  cover  of  the  night,  leaving  their  artillery,  baggage, 
&c.  with  two  hundred  slain,  and  seven  hundred  prisoners, 
among  whom  was  colonel  Baum.  This  was  an  important 
action,  and  proved  ruinous  to  General  Burgoyne. 

This  action  was  highly  applauded,  and  a  brigadier's 
commission  was  made  out  for  Colonel  Stark,  in  the  conti- 
nental service.  This  success  gave  fresh  courage  to  the 
Americans,  and  the  public  pulse  beat  high  with  expec 
tation.  General  Gates  now  took  command  of  the  ar 
my,  and  the  militia  joined  the  army  with  alacrity.  On 
the  rear  of  the  British  army  was  an  American  force  under 
General  Lincoln,  and  on  the  18th,  General  Brown  de- 
stroyed the  British  stores  at  Lake  George,  releasing  a 
number  of  American  prisoners.  Successful  operations 
were  also  commenced  against  Ticonderoga,  and  Skeens- 
borough,  now  Whitehall.  General  Burgoyne  had  crossed 
the  Hudson,  and  finally  took  post  at  Still  water,  but  three 
miles  from  General  Gates. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  191 

On  the  18th  of  September,  General  Gates  detached 
about  3000  men  to  offer  the  enemy  battle ;  but  he  decli- 
ned the  combat.  On  the  19th,  the  scouting  parlies  of 
the  two  armies  commenced  a  skirmishing,  that  led  to  a 
general  action,  which  continued  through  the  day,  and  was 
supported  with  great  zeal  and  intrepid  bravery.  Night 
closed  the  scene,  and  the  two  .generals  drew  oil"  their  ar- 
mies, to  protect  their  camps,  and  waited  with  impatience 
the  returning  day. 

In  this  action,  the  American  loss  was  about  three  hun- 
dred, and  that  of  the  English  about  five  hundred. 

The  American  strength  W7as  now  about  seven  thousand, 
not  including  about  two  thousand  under  General  Lincoln, 
who  were  then  at  Bennington.  The  Indian  allies  of 
Great  Britain  were  deserting  the  standard  of  General 
Burgoyne  since  the  late  contest,  and  four  of  the  six  na- 
tions favoured  the  cause  of  America,  and  furnished  one 
hundred  and  fifty  warriors.  The  troops  under  General 
Lincoln  now  added  to  the  force  under  General  Gates,  and 
revived  the  spirits  of  the  army. 

Until  the  7th  of  October,  the  armies  were  within  com- 
mon shot,  and  skirmishes  were  frequent  and  severe.  The 
armies  were  harassed  and  alarmed.  The  situation  of 
Burgoyne  was  becoming  critical,  and  he  applied  to  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  for  relief.  The  latter  had  just  received 
two  thousand  men  from  Europe,  and  commenced  opera- 
tions by  the  capture  of  West  Point,  a  strong  fortress  on 
the  Hudson.  He  was  then  enabled  to  clear  the  obstruc- 
tions on  the  river,  and  leave  a  free  passage  for  his  ship- 
ping. Of  all  this  General  Burgoyne  had  intelligence,  but 
too  late  to  render  him  any  service. 

As  General  Burgoyne  determined  on  a  retreat,  he  sent 
forward  a  strong  party  on  one  side,  while  he  headed 
another,  supported  by  General  Frazer,  and  a  contest  was 
commenced  immediately,  and  lasted  through  the  day. 
Victory  perched  on  the  American  standard,  and  they  were 
successful  at  all  points.  General  Arnold  fought  despe- 
rately, and  received  a  wound  in  the  action.  General 
Frazer,*  and  Sir  James  Clark,  were  mortally  wounded,  and 

*  In  the  heat  of  the  action,  Colonel  Morgan,  (the  future  hero  of  the 
battle  of  Cowpens,)  selected  several  of  his  sharp  shootersj  and  pointing 


192  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  latter  became  a  prisoner.  General  Burgoyne  chang- 
ed his  position  in  the  night,  and  the  Americans  spoiled 
the  British  camp. 

The  British  now  expected  a  momentary  attack,  and 
were  under  arms  all  the  day  on  the  8th,  and  at  sunset,  the 
last  honours  were  paid  to  the  remains  of  the  much  lament- 
ed Frazer.  On  the  9th,  the  English  army  was  so  closely 
invested,  that  the  commander  resolved  on  a  retreat  to  Sa- 
ratoga. This  was  effected  with  no  other  loss  than  that  of 
his  hospital  of  sick  and  wounded,  which  he  was  compelled 
to  abandon  to  the  mercy  of  General  Gates,  who  did  ho- 
nour to  his  character,  in  the  display  of  his  benevolent 
feelings  in  behalf  of  the  sufferers. 

General  Burgoyne  now  perceived  that  all  the  passes  in 
his  rear  were  strongly  guarded,  and  that  further  retreat 
was  next  to  impossible.  In  this  difficulty,  he  called  a 
council,  on  the  13th.  While  the  council  was  delibera- 
ting, an  eighteen  pound  shot  crossed  the  table,  and  they 
resolved  unanimously  to  propose  terms  with  General 
Gates.  The  proposals  of  General  Gates  were  rejected, 
and  General  Burgoyne  then  sent  in  terms  on  which  the 
capitulation  was  finally  made. 

The  news  of  the  capture  in  the  Highlands,  is  said  to 
have  arrived  at  this  juncture,  which  led  General  Bur- 
goyne to  hesitate,  in  expectation  of  relief  from  Sir  Henry 
Clinton.  General  Gates,  seizing  the  critical  moment, 
drew  up  his  army  in  battle  array,  and  sent  in  a  flag,  de- 
manding a  reply  in  ten  minutes.  The  responsibility  was 
great,  and  Burgoyne  felt  it.  The  treaty  was  signed,  and 
returned  in  due  time. 

The  whole  British  army  marched  out  of  their  lines, 
deposited  their  arms,  and  became  prisoners  of  war.  Ge- 
neral Gates  marched  in  under  the  tune  of  Yankee  Doodle, 
and  took  quiet  possession.  General  Gates  ordered  sup- 
plies to  be  issued  to  the  British  army,  who  were  destitute, 
and  the  solemn  scene  was  closed. 

them  to  a  British  officer  who  appeared  most  conspicuously  active  in  hia 
duty,  at  the  head  of  his  division,  mounted  upon  an  iron  gray  charger, 
thus  addressed  them :  "  That  gallant  officer  is  General  Prazer ;  I  ad- 
mire and  respect  him ;  but  it  is  necessary  that  he  should  die ;  take  your 
station  in  that  wood,  and  do  your  duty."  It  is  unnecessary  to  add,  that 
General  Frazer  soon  fell,  mortally  worlnded. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  193 

Such,  and  so  various  are  the  scenes  of  life,  and  the  fates 
of  men ;  such,  and  so  fickle  is  the  fortune  of  war ;  but 
firm  and  unshaken  is  the  providence  of  God ;  wisdom, 
and  might,  and  strength,  are  His. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  detached  Sir  James  Wallace,  and 
General  Vaughn,  with  a  flying  squadron,  carrying  3600 
troops,  to  penetrate,  if  possible,  to  the,  camp  of  Bur- 
goyne,  or  make  a  diversion  in  his  favour ;  but  learning 
the  situation  of  General  Burgoyne,  at  Esopus,  on  the  13th, 
they  set  fire  to  the  village,  and  consumed  it.  Had  they 
proceeded  to  Albany,  they  might  have  destroyed  the 
place,  with  the  American  stores,  and  Burgoyne  might 
have  been  relieved.  The  inquiry  has  often  been  made, 
why  this  unnecessary  de.lay  ?  But  no  other  answer  can  be 
given,  than  this  ;  it  was  the  special  providence  of  God. 

l^he  army  of  General  Burgoyne  was  marched  directly 
to  Boston,  where  they  were  detained  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Having  thus  restored  tranquillity  in  the  north,  the  army 
under  General  Gates  marched  to  support  General  Putnam 
at  Kingston,  and  guard  the  country  from  the  incursions  of 
the  British.  The  alarm  was  taken,  and  the  enemy  hasten- 
ed back  to  New- York. 

We  will  now  take  a  look  at  the  transactions  of  the  con- 
quering army  of  New-York.  About  the  time  that  victory 
perched  on  the  British  standard  on  Lake  Champlain,  un- 
der the  direction  of  Burgoyne,  General  Howe  embarked 
with  about  sixteen  thousand  troops,  with  two  hundred 
and  sixty  sail,  and  on  the  23d  of  July,  went  to  sea  on  a 
private  expedition,  to  make  a  diversion  at  the  south. 
General  Washington  then  made  a  movement  towards  De- 
laware, that  he  might  cover  Philadelphia.  General 
Howe,  manoeuvred  on  the  coast  some  days,  and  finally 
entered  the  Chesapeake.  Washington  advanced  to  meet 
him.  The  British  troops  were  landed  at  Elk  River  ferry 
and  the  two  armies  met  at  Chad's  Ford,  on  the  Brandy- 
wine,  where  an  action  was  fought  on  the  llth  of  Septem- 
ber. Victory  declared  for  the  English,  and,Washington 
retired  to  the  high  grounds,  to  watch  the  enemy.  Phila- 
delphia was  entered  on  the  26th,  when  Congress  retired  to 
Lancaster. 

About  this  time  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  arrived  in  the 


194  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

United  States,  and  tendered  his  services  to  Congress,  and 
he  received  a  commission  as  brigadier  general  in  the  ser- 
vice. He  joined  the  army,  and  served  at  his  own  ex- 
pense, and  soon  became  the  companion  and  the  friend  of 
Washington.  His  talents  as  a  soldier  were  first  display- 
ed at  Chad's  Ford,  where  he  received  a  wound  in  the  leg, 
the  effects  of  which  he  still  carries.  The  Count  Pulaski, 
Polish  gentleman,  also  distinguished  himself  in  the  battle, 
and  was  honoured  with  the  commission  of  Major  General. 

The  fleet  of  Lord  Howe  was  now  ordered  into  the  De- 
laware, that  his  communication  with  the  ocean  might  re- 
main secure. 

While  the  fleet  was  thus  employed,  Washington  at- 
tempted to  cut  off  the  main  body  of  the  British  army,  en- 
camped at  Germantown,  seven  miles  from  the  city. — The 
attack  was  well  concerted,  and  executed  promptly. 

The  British  were  completely  surprised,  at  break  of  day, 
October  4th ;  at  sunrise,  the  action  became  warm,  and  the 
Americans  were  successful  at  all  points,  until  they  at- 
tempted to  dislodge  a  battalion  of  the  British,  who,  in  their 
flight,  had  thrown  themselves  into  a  stone  house ; — this 
occasioned  a  delay,  broke  the  pursuit,  and  gave  the  enemy 
time  to  recover  from  their  surprise,  and  rally  to  the  charge ; 
the  action  soon  became  warm  and  bloody.  A  thick  fog 
arose,  which  covered  the  combatants,  and  caused  some 
confusion;  the  enemy  took  advantage  of  this,  the  Ameri- 
cans retired,  and  abandoned  the  victory  they  had  so  fairly 
gained. 

The  losses  of  the  parties  were  about  equal ;  but  it 
proved  a  lesson  of  caution  to  General  Howe.  He  col- 
lected his  army  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  closely  in- 
vested by  General  Washington,  through  the  winter;  which 
occasioned  the  remark  of  Dr.  Franklin :  "  Philadelphia 
has  taken  Howe." 

The  privations  of  the  American  army  were  truly  dis- 
tressing; without  clothes,  shoes,  stockings,  and  even 
breeches  and  blankets  ;  more  than  two  thousand  were 
marched  through  the  snow,  imprinting  the  roads  with  their 
blood-stained  steps  ;  yet  all  this  was  endured  with  a  firm- 
ness worthy  of  those  valiant  sons  of  liberty. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin  hao^nowbeen  more  than  a  year 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  195 

in  France,  urging  the  government  of  that  country  to  ac- 
knowledge our  independence,  and  to  enter  into  a  treaty 
of  alliance.  These  .objects  were  effected,  after  the  fall  of 
Burgoyne  had  manifested  the  probability  that  the  Ameri- 
cans could  maintain  their  independent  stand  single  hand- 
ed. A  treaty  was  signed  on  the  sixth  of  February,  by 
which  it  was  agreed,  that  "  neither  of  the  contracting 
powers  was  to  make  war  or  peace,  without  the  formal 
consent  of  the  other."  The  treaty  was  soon  known  in 
London,  and  the  British  government  determined  to  eva- 
cuate Philadelphia,  and  concentrate  the  royal  forces  in 
New-York.  On  the  18th  of  June,  the  royal  army  crossed 
the  Delaware  on  the  road  to  New- York.  But  Washing- 
ton had  foreseen  this,  and  prepared  the  militia  of  New- 
Jersey  to  give  the  British  a  troublesome  march. 

He  crossed  the  Delaware  in  pursuit,  and  the  hostile 
armies  met  at  Monmouth  on  the  28th,  sixty-four  miles 
from  Philadelphia.  The  contest  was  severe,  and  the 
weather  so  hot,  that  numbers  of  both  armies  perished 
from  that  cause,  and  the  use  of  water,  when  it  could  be 
obtained.  The  American  army  remained  on  the  battle 
ground,  intending  to  renew  the  contest  in  the  morning, 
but  the  enemy  made  good  a  retreat.  The  loss  of  the 
Americans  was  eight  officers,  and  sixty-one  privates  kill- 
ed, and  one  hundred  and  sixty  wounded.  The  British 
loss,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  was  three  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  men,  including  officers.  One  hundred  pri- 
soners were  taken,  and  the  loss  by  desertion  was  one 
thousand.  Sir  Henry  retired,  by  forced  marches,  to 
Sandy  Hook,  where  he  was  taken  on  board  the  fleet,  and 
embarked  the  army  for  New-York. 

General  Lee  has  been  censured  by  a  court-martial  for 
disobedience  of  orders  on  this  occasion.  It  appears  that 
he  first  declined  a  particular  command,  and  then  asked 
for  it.  Washington  directed  him  to  commence  the  at- 
tack, "  unless  there  should  be  powerful  reasons  to  the 
contrary,"  and  his  disobedience,  "  and  doubtful  move- 
ments," appear  to  have  marred  the  expected  success,  and 
justified  the  event,  in  depriving  him  of  his  command. 

The  French  government,  by  the  terms  of  the  treaty, 
had  now  entered  into  the  war. 


196  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  the  8th  of  July,  Count  D'Estaing  entered  the  capes 
of  the  Delaware,  with  the  Toulon  fleet,  after  a  passage 
of  eighty-seven  days ;  Lord  Howe  had  been  gone  only 
eleven  days,  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  evacuated  Phila- 
delphia only  one  month  before,  and  was  now  embarking 
his  army  at  Sandy  Hook,*fbr  New- York.  The  French 
fleet  was  about  double  the  force  of  the  English,  both  in 
the  number  of  ships,  and  weight  of  metal. 

Count  D'Estaing  landed  Mr.  Gerard,  French  minister 
to  the  United  States,  who  was  most  cordially  received  by 
congress,  and  on  the  9th  set  sail  for  Sandy  Hook,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  llth,  and  blockaded  the  English  squad- 
ron in  the  harbour.  The  count  made  all  possible  efforts 
to  attack  the  English  fleet  in  the  harbour,  but  found  it  im- 
practicable to  cross  the  bar  with  his  heavy  ships,  and,  on 
the  22d,  agreeable  to  advice  from  General  Washington, 
he  set  sail  for  Newport,  to  co-operate  in  the  destruction 
of  the  British  fleet  and  army,  at  Rhode  Island. 

Admiral  Byron's  squadron  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  a 
few  days  after  the  departure  of  the  French  fleet,  in  a  very 
broken,  sickly,  dismasted,  distressed  situation.  The  pro- 
vision ships  from  Cork,  arrived  also,  and  entered  the  har- 
bour of  New- York  in  safety,  to  the  inexpressible  joy  of 
the  British  army,  who  were  in  great  want  of  supplies. 

Count  D'Estaing  arrived  off  Point  Judith  on  the  29th 
of  July,  and  such  was  the  joy  upon  the  occasion,  that  it 
diffused  the  fire  and  zeal  of  1775,  and  1776,  throughout 
New-England.  Volunteers,  by  thousands,  flocked  to  the 
standard  of  their  country  to  join  General  Sullivan,  and 
co-operate  with  their  illustrious  allies  in  the  reduction  of 
Rhode  Island. 

General  Washington  had  *  detached  the  Marquis  La 
Fayette,  and  General  Greene,  with  two  thousand  men,  to 
join  the  general  enterprise.  The  American  force  was 
now  about  ten  thousand  strong. 

Sir  Robert  Pigot,  who  commanded  at  Newport,  had 
been  reinforced  with  five  battalions,  which  rendered  his 
force  about  six  thousand  strong.  Thus  balanced,  the  par- 
ties commenced  their  operations. 

The  Count  D'Estaing  entered  the  harbour  of  Newport 
on  the  18th  of  August,  without  opposition ;  General  Pigot, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  19t 

having  destroyed  the  English  shipping  on  the  5th,  to  pre- 
vent they*  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  French. 

On  the  9th,  at  eight  in  the  morning,  General  Sullivan 
began  to  cross  over  with  his  army  from  Tiverton,  the 
enemy  having  abandoned  their  works  at  the  north  end  of 
the  island.  At  two  in  the  morning,  Lord  Howe  appear- 
ed off  Point  Judith,  with  a  fleet  of  twenty-five  sail  of  the 
line,  where  he  anchored  for  the  night. 

On  the  10th,  Count  D'Estaing,  eager  to  meet  the  Bri- 
tish fleet,  took  advantage  of  the  wind,  and  put  to  sea. 
The  two  fleets  mamBuvred  through  the  day,  without  co- 
ming to  action.  On  the  llth,  a  violent  gale  sprang  up, 
arid  continued  through  the  12th  and  13th,  which  parted 
the  fleets,  dismasted  the  French  Admiral's  ship,  destroyed 
her  rudder,  and  greatly  damaged  several  others. 

On  the  14th,  the  gale  abated,  and  close  and  severe  ac- 
tions commenced  between  several  single  ships  of  the  two 
fleets,  but  nothing  decisive.  The  Count,  having  collected 
six  of  his  ships,  covered  his  disabled  fleet,  and  stood  in 
for  Newport,  and  came  to  anchor. 

General  Greene  and  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  went  on 
board  the  Admiral's  ship,  and  pressed  him  to  enter  the 
harbour  of  Newport,  and  complete  the  enterprise ;  but 
the  fleet  was  so  shattered  by  the  storm,  and  the  officers 
were  generally  so  averse,  that  the  Count  concluded  to 
sail  for  Boston. 

The  troops  under  General  Sullivan  had  gained  the 
north  end  of  the  island,  and  marched  down  upon  the  ene- 
my's lines,  ready  to  co-operate  with  the  French  fleet,  and 
commence  the  attack ;  but  their  sufferings  in  the  storm 
were  so  severe,  that  the  troops  were  in  a  deplorable  state. 

On  the  15th,  the  American  army  had  recovered  from 
their  misfortunes,  and  were  again  prepared  for  action. 
In  this  situation,  they  continued 'anxiously  waiting  the 
movements  of  the  Frencli  fleet,  to  join  in  the  general  at- 
tack ;  but.  to  their  grief  and  astonishment,  they  saw  them 
weigh  and  stand  oft'  for  Boston,  on  the  24th.  The  mor- 
tification of  General  Sullivan  was  greater  than  the  pride 
of  an  American  soldier  could  sustain,  and  he  expressed 
himself  unguardedly,  in  his  general  orders,  on  the  occa- 
sion. 

17* 


198  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  the  28th,  Count  D'Estaing  wrote  to  Congress,  from 
Boston,  and  explained  his  movements,  to  the  satisfaction 
of  that  honourable  body. 

General  Sullivan  soon  saw  himself  abandoned  by  most 
of  the  volunteers,  which  reduced  his  army  to  a  standard 
below  that  of  the  enemy,  and  he  hastened  to  secure  his 
retreat. 

On  the  25th,  General  Sullivan  sent  off  his  heavy  can- 
non, and  on  the  29th,  he  retired  to  the  north  end  of  the 
island.  General  Pigot  pursued  with  his  whole  force,  to 
intercept  his  retreat.  The  advance  guard  of  the  enemy 
was  soon  engaged  with  the  rear  guard  of  the  Americans, 
and  a  severe  action  ensued,  that  continued  through  the 
day.  The  next  day,  General  Sullivan  learnt  that  Lord 
Howe  was  again  at  sea,  and  that  the  French  fleet  was  not 
expected  to  return  to  Newport,  and  he  hastened  to  evacu- 
ate the  island. 

General  Sullivan,  with  the  advice  and  assistance  of 
General  Greene,  and  the  Marquis  La  Fayette,  conducted 
his  retreat  in  the  presence  of  a  superior  foe,  whose  sen- 
tries were  not  more  than  400  yards  distant  from  the  Ame- 
rican sentries ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber, 1778,  the  retreat  was  accomplished  without  the  loss 
of  a  man,  or  any  part  of  the  artillery  or  baggage. 

The  same  day,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  arrived  off  Newport, 
on  board  of  the  fleet  under  Lord  Howe,  with  four  thou- 
sand troops,  to  cut  off  the  American  retreat ;  but  learn- 
ing the  departure  of  the  French  for  Boston,  and  the  re- 
treat of  the  Americans,  he  set  sail  for  Boston,  in  pursuit 
of  the  French.  On  the  morning  of  the  3d,  he  discovered 
the  French  fleet  in  the  harbour  of  Boston,  strongly  post- 
ed, and  returned  to  New- York.  On  the  5th,  Lord  Howe 
commenced  an  attack  upon  the  American  shipping  in  Bed- 
ford harbour,  and  destroyed  about  seventy  sail,  besides 
small  craft,  stores,  dwelling  houses,  and  vessels  on  the 
stocks,  together  with  the  magazine,  to  the  amount  of 
20,OOOZ.  sterling. 

His  lordship  next  commenced  an  attack  upon  Martha's 
Vineyard,  destroyed  all  the  vessels,  and  carried  off  the 
arms  of  the  militia,  the  public  money,  300  oxen,  and 
10,000  sheep,  and  returned  to  New- York. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  199 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Wash- 
ington, shall  close  the  chapter : 

"  It  is  not  a  little  pleasing,  nor  less  wonderful,  to  con- 
template, that  after  two  years  manoeuvring,  and  under- 
going the  strangest  vicissitudes  that  perhaps  ever  attend- 
ed any  one  contest  since  the  creation,  both  armies  are 
brought  back  to  the  very  point  they  set  out  from,  and  the 
offending  party,  in  the  beginning,  is  reduced  to  the  spade 
and  pick-axe  for  defence.  The  hand  of  Providence  has 
been  so  conspicuous  in  all  this,  that  he  must  be  worse  than 
an  infidel  that  lacks  faith,  and  more  than  wicked,  that  has 
not  gratitude  enough  to  acknowledge  his  obligations." 


CHAPTER  X. 

Operations  of  the  Revolutionary  War — Continued. 

\ 

THE  British,  finding  the  instability  of  their  dependence 
on  the  success  of  their  arms,  determined  to  accomplish 
their  object  by  the  arts  of  diplomacy.  An  attempt  was 
made  to  bribe  a  Mr,  Reed,  and  other  members  of  con- 
gress, to  assist  in  reconciling  the  Americans  to  the  Eng- 
lish government.  The  instrument  of  this  attempt  was 
George  Johnston,  Esq.  one  of  the  British  commissioners. 
Mr.  Reed  replied — "  I  am  not  worth  buying,  but  such  as 
I  am,  the  King  of  England  is  not  rich  enough  to  do  it." 
The  facts  were  disclosed  to  congress,  and  excited  consider- 
able feeling. 

Congress  then  resolved,  that  all  letters  addressed  to 
members  of  congress  by  British  commissioners,  or  agents, 
or  any  subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  of  a  public 
nature,  should  be  laid  before  that  body.  To  this  resolu- 
tion, a  spirited  reply  was  made  from  New-York  by  John- 
ston, and  a  total  disavowal  of  the  facts,  on  the  part  of  §ir 
Henry  Clinton,  Lord  Carlisle,  and  Mr.  Eden.  At  the  same 
time,  a  ratification  of  the  convention  of  Saratoga  was 
tendered,  that  the  troops  of  Burgoyne  might  be  suffered 
to  embark  for  England.  This  was  declined  by  congress, 
unless  ratified  by  the  British  government. 


200  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

The  commissioners  then  appealed  to  the  people,  and 
this  was  favoured  by  congress,  trusting  that  the  good 
sense  of  the  inhabitants  would  treat  it  with  contempt,  and 
cover  the  authors  with  lasting  disgrace.  Chagrined  by 
their  failure  in  this  insidious  measure,  they  denounced 
the  American  government  in  a  manifesto,  threatening  the 
American  people  with  destruction,  if  determined  to  per- 
severe in  their  rebellion,  and  adhere  to  their  alliance  with 
France.  This  idle  threat  was  fairly  met  by  congress,  by 
a  developement  of  the  mode  of  warfare  adopted  by  the 
enemy,  and  was  thus  concluded  : 

"  If  our  enemies  presume  to  execute  their  threats,  or 
persist  in  their  present  career  of  barbarity,  we  will  take 
such  exemplary  vengeance  as  shall  deter  others  from  a 
like  conduct.  We  appeal  to  that  God  who  is  the  searcher 
of  hearts,  for  the  rectitude  of  our  intentions,  and  in  his 
holy  presence  declare,  thai  as  we  are  not  moved  by  any 
light  or  hasty  suggestions  of  anger  or  revenge,  so,  through 
every  possible  change  of  fortune,  we  will  adhere  to  this 
our  determination." 

Dr.  Franklin,  till  now  a  commissioner  at  the  French 
court,  was  appointed  minister  plenipotentiary  to  the  court 
of  Versailles,  with  instructions  to  negotiate  for  an  expe- 
dition to  Canada.  About  this  time,  the  Sieur  Gerard  de- 
livered his  credentials  to  congress,  and  was  recognised  as 
a  minister  from  the  French  court. 

The  Marquis  La  Fayette,  at  this  time,  requested  leave 
to  return  to  France,  to  which  congress  readily  consented, 
and  directed  the  president  to  express  to  him,  by  letter,  the 
thanks  of  congress,  for  that  disinterested  zeal  that  led 
him  to  America,  as  well  as  those  services  he  had  rendered 
the  United  States,  by  the  exertions  of  his  courage  and 
abilities,  on  many  signal  occasions.  They  also  directed 
Dr.  Franklin  to  cause  an  elegant  sword  to  be  made,  with 
proper  devices,  and  presented  to  the  marquis,  in  the  name 
of  the  United  States.  Congress,  at  the  same  time,  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  the  King  of  France,  expressive  of  the 
high  sense  they  entertained  of  the  talents  and  services  oi 
the  marquis.  He  took  his  leave  of  congress  by  letter,  re- 
paired to  Boston,  and  embarked  for  France. 

Pending  these  movements,  the  Indians,  in  concert  with 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  201 

the  tories,  began  their  ravages  upon  the  Susquehannah, 
entered  the  settlements  in  a  body  of  about  sixteen  hun- 
dred ;  defeated  Colonel  Butler,  at  the  head  of  about  four 
hundred  men,  and  cut  off  his  party  with  a  terrible  slaughter. 
They  took  one  small  fort  at  Kingston,  and  then  carried 
Fort  Wilkesbarre ;  butchered  the  garrison,  and  burnt  the 
women  and  children  in  the  barracks.  They  next  proceed- 
ed to  lay  waste  the  settlements  with  fire  and  sword,  and 
destroyed  the  cattle  in  the  most  wanton  and  barbarous 
manner;  but  spared  the  persons  and  property  of  the  tories. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  detached  Captain  Ferguson,  with 
about  three  hundred  men,  upon  an  expedition  to  Little 
Egg-Harbour,  under  a  strong  convoy,  to  destroy  the  Ame- 
rican shipping  and  privateers ;  but  these  being  removed, 
Captain  Ferguson  proceeded  up  to  Chesnut  Neck,  where 
he  destroyed  such  vessels  as  were  there,  together  with  the 
whole  village,  and  laid  waste  the  adjacent  country,  arid 
rejoined  the  squadron. — October  5th. 

On  the  15th,  the  convoy,  with  the  troops,  moved  round 
to  another  landing  place  not  far  distant,  and  landed  two 
hundred  and  fifty  men  under  the  command  of  Captain  Fer- 
guson, who  advanced  into  the  country  in  the  silence  of 
night,  and  surprised  Count  Pulaski's  light  infantry;  killed 
the  Baron  De  Base  and  Lieutenant  De  la  Broderic,  with 
fifty  privates.  These  were  mostly  butchered  in  cold 
blood,  begging  for  mercy,  under  the  orders  of  no  quarters, 
as  before  ;  but  Count  Pulaski  closed  this  horrid  scene,  by 
a  sudden  charge  of  his  cavalry,  that  put  to  flight  the  mur- 
derous foe,  and  thus  saved  the  remnant  of  his  infantry. 
Captain  Ferguson  made  a  hasty  retreat,  embarked  his 
party,  and  returned  to  New-York. 

Admiral  Graves  arrived  at  New- York,  on  the  16th  of 
October,  in  a  most  shattered  condition,  by  a  violent  storm 
which  detained  him  the  remainder  of  the  month,  to  repair 
the  fleet.  About  the  first  of  November  he  put  to  sea,  and 
appeared  off  the  harbour  of  Boston,  on  a  visit  to  the  Count 
D'Estaing  ;  but  a  violent  storm  here  overtook  him,  scat- 
tered his  fleet,  destroyed  the  Somerset  of  64  guns,  on  the 
shores  of  Cape  Cod,  and  forced  the  rest  into  Rhode  Island 
for  shelter. 

From  this  time  the  war  assumed  a  most  savage  aspect, 


202  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  exhibited  the  most  unrelenting  barbarity.  Except  in 
few  instances,  the  rules  of  civilized  warriors  seemed  hardly 
to  be  known,  and  the  combatants  seemed  mutually  deter- 
mined on  a  war  of  extermination.  The  war  was  carried 
anew  into  the  Susquehannah  country.  Col.  Wm.  Butler,  at 
the  head  of  a  Pennsylvania  regiment,  with  a  band  of  rifle- 
men, led  an  expedition  to  the  Indian  villages,  which  he  de- 
stroyed, and  af*er  enduring  the  greatest  hardships,  re- 
turned in  safety  in  sixteen  days.  To  avenge  this  incursion, 
Colonel  John  Butler,  at  the  head  of  a  strong  party,  sur- 
prised Colonel  Alden  at  Cherry  Valley,  who  was  killed,  and 
the  greatest  cruelties  were  perpetrated.  Fifty  or  sixty  men. 
women,  and  children,  were  killed  or  made  captives,  and 
even  the  dead  were  made  monuments  of  savage  barbarities. 

All  further  designs  against  the  north,  seemed  now  to  be 
abandoned.  Clinton  and  Prescott,  who  commanded  in 
East  Florida,  concerted  a  plan  of  operations  against  Geor- 
gia. Before  this  could  be  carried  into  effect,  two  parties 
entered  Georgia  from  Florida,  one  by  land,  and  the  other 
by  water.  The  latter  advanced  to  Sunbury,  and  sum- 
moned the  place  to  surrender,  but  receiving  a  spirited  re- 
ply from  Colonel  Mackintosh,  the  attempt  was  abandoned. 
The  other  party  made  for  Savannah,  but  being  firmly  op- 
posed by  General  Screven  and  Colonel  Elbert,  nothing 
was  effected,  if  we  except  the  plundering  of  negroes  and 
cattle,  and  the  commission  of  the  most  wanton  barbarities. 
Colonel  Screven  was  killed  in  the  defence. 

On  the  27th  of  November,  1778,  Colonel  Campbell  em- 
barked at  Sandy  Hook,  at  the  head  of  one  regiment,  two 
battalions  of  regulars,  and  four  of  tories,  with  a  detach- 
ment of  artillery,  in  all  about  twenty-live  hundred  men. 
and  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Savannah,  the  latter  part 
of  December,  and  soon  landed  his  troops.  General  R. 
Howe  was  posted  in  this  place,  at  the  head  of  about 
eight  hundred  militia  and  regulars,  worn  down  by  a  fruit- 
less expedition  against  Florida.  He  chose  a  judicious  po- 
sition to  cover  Savannah,  but  was  out-generaled,  sur- 
prised in  camp,  and  routed  with  a  considerable  loss  of 
men  and  arms.  The  fort,  with  its  contents,  forty-eight 
pieces  of  cannon,  twenty-three  mortars,  all  the  shipping, 
a  large  store  of  provisions,  and  the  capital  of  the  state, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  203 

fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victors.  The  defenceless  in- 
habitants were  bayonetted  in  the  streets,  and  the  remnant 
of  the  troops  escaped  to  South  Carolina.  About  this 
time,  Sunbury  fell  into  the  hands  of  General  Prescott, 
who  marched  to  Savannah,  and  took  command  of  the 
royal  army.  The  inhabitants  were  directed  to  lay  down 
their  arms,  or  use  them  in  support  of  the  royal  cause. 

On  the  25 th  of  September,  General  Lincoln  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  the  southern  army,  but  he  did 
not  arrive  at  Charleston  until  the  4th  of  December.  He 
was  joined  by  General  Ashe  and  Rutherford,  with  about 
two  thousand  North  Carolina  militia,  destined  to  act  in  de- 
fence of  South  Carolina. 

As  Georgia  was  the  point  of  attack,  General  Lincoln 
raised  something  less  than  a  thousand  men,  and  joined 
the  remains  of  the  troops  under  Colonel  Elbert,  establish- 
ing his  head  quarters  at  Purysburg.  Here  he  found  him- 
self at  the  head  of  but  fourteen  hundred  men,  and  even 
this  small  force  destitute  of  arms,  cannon,  tents,  and  al- 
most of  powder  and  lead.  The  militia  of  South  Caroli- 
na were  without  discipline  or  subordination,  and  on  the 
21th  of  January,  1779,  they  had  generally  returned  to 
their  homes.  About  eleven  hundred  militia  from  North 
Carolina  supplied  their  place,  and  the  whole  force  was 
about  twenty-four  hundred. 

General  Prescott  had  taken  possession  of  Port  Royal 
Island,  South  Carolina,  and  General  Moultrie,  at  the  head 
of  the  Charleston  militia,  attacked  the  island,  dislodged 
the  enemy,  and  compelled  the  Colonel  to  retire  into  Geor- 
gia, with  much  loss.  He  took  post  at  Augusta,  and  by 
fomenting  divisions,  and  encouraging  insurrections, 
caused  much  distress.  But  a  party  from  the  district  of 
Ninety-six,  under  Colonel  Pickens,  pursued  the  banditti, 
which  they  overtook,  routed,  killed,  or  dispersed,  and 
their  leader,  Colonel  Boyd,  was  slain.  The  remainder 
threw  themselves  on  the  clemency  of  the  state.  Seventy 
were  tried,  convicted,  and  sentenced  to  death,  but  the  sen- 
tence was  executed  on  five  of  the  principals  only,  and  the 
remainder  were  pardoned. 

General  Lincoln  determined  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from 
Georgia,  and  directed  General  Williamson  to  take  a  strong 


204  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

position  near  Augusta,  to  watch  the  motions  of  Colonel 
Campbell ;  and  General  Ashe  was  ordered  to  the  support  of 
General  Williamson,  with  about  two  thousand  men.  On 
receiving  the  intelligence  of  this  junction,  the  British  re- 
tired about  fourteen  miles  down  the  river.  Measures 
were  concerted  by  the  American  generals,  and  the  plan 
of  operations  settled. 

About  this  time,  Colonel  Provost  gained  the  rear  of 
the  American  camp  by  a  circuitous  march,  and  commen- 
ced a  furious  attack.  The  continentals  advanced  to  the 
charge,  to  check  the  invaders  ;  but  the  militia  were  panic 
struck,  and  flight  ensued.  The  regulars,  under  General 
Elbert,  were  cut  to  pieces,  and  the  militia,  under  General 
Ashe,  never  returned.  The  Americans  lost  one  hundred 
and  fifty  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  captured. 
The  wounded  not  numbered.  About  four  hundred  and 
fifty  rejoined  General  Lincoln.  Georgia  now  belonged  to 
the  enemy,  and  a  free  communication  was  opened  with 
the  tories  of  South  Carolina. 

In  this  state  of  alarm,  John  Rutledge  was  appointed 
governor  of  the  state,  and  to  him  and  the  council  was  gi- 
ven a  dictatorial  power.  A  large  body  of  militia  was  as- 
sembled at  Orangeburg,  near  the  centre  of  the  state,  to 
act  as  might  be  required.  General  Williamson  sent  par- 
ties into  Georgia  to  distress  and  plunder  the  enemy. 
On  this,  General  Lincoln  remarked  to  the  governor,  that 
the  innocent  and  the  guilty,  the  aged  and  infirm,  women 
and  children,  would  be  equally  exposed  to  the  effects  of 
this  order.  General  Lincoln  was  now  reinforced  at  his 
camp,  Black  Swamp,  and  advanced  into  Georgia,  leaving 
a  strong  guard  under  General  Moultrie,  at  Purysburg. 
Prescott  permitted  the  Americans  to  advance  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles,  that  he  might  surprise  General  Moul- 
trie. Moultrie  eluded  the  attack,  by  a  change  of  position. 

General  Lincoln,  learning  the  movements  of  Prescott, 
moved  by  forced  marches  in  support  of  Moultrie,  and  to 
cover  Charleston.  The  governor  took  alarm  by  the 
movements  of  Prescott,  and  destroyed  the  suburbs,  that 
he  might  guard  against  the  advance  of  the  enemy.  The 
neighbouring  militia  were  called  in  to  join  his  troops  in 
defence  of  Charleston. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  205 

On  the  llth,  General  Prescott  crossed  the  ferry,  and 
appeared  before  Charleston,  on  which  day  the  Count  Pu- 
laski  arrived,  and  entered  into  the  defence  of  this  city 
with  spirit.  The  object  of  General  Prescott  was,  to  carry 
the  town  before  General  Lincoln  could  arrive,  and  his 
operations  were  conducted  with  such  vigour,  that  the  civil 
authority  sent  out  the  following  proposition. 

"  South  Carolina  will  remain  in  a  state  of  neutrality  till 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  then  follow  the  fate  of  her 
neighbours,  on  condition  the  royal  army  withdraw."  To 
which  General  Prescott  replied :  "  The  garrison  are  in 
arms,  and  they  shall  surrender  prisoners  of  war." 

Before  General  Prescott  could  accomplish  any  thing  of 
importance,  General  Lincoln  arrived,  and  the  enemy  with- 
drew to  Beaufort,  and  thence  to  Georgia.  Plunder  and 
devastation  marked  their  steps.  Slaves  to  the  number  of 
three  thousand  were  taken,  and  sent  for  sale  to  the  West- 
Indies. 

An  expedition  was  fitted  out  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
under  Sir  George  Collier,  and  General  Matthews,  from 
New-York,  who  took  possession  of  Portsmouth,  and  the 
remains  of  Norfolk,  in  Virginia,  in  May,  1779.  On  the 
same  day  a  detachment  was  sent  to  Suffolk,  and  destroy- 
ed provisions,  naval  stores,  and  vessels,  leaving  the  town 
in  ashes,  and  gentlemen's  seats,  as  well  as  plantations, 
were  burnt  and  ravaged.  On  the  coast  the  same  ravages 
were  committed  by  the  fleet.  About  one  hundred  and 
thirty  vessels  were  destroyed  or  captured,  with  about 
three  thousand  hogsheads  of  tobacco. 

About  this  time  a  successful  attempt  was  made  against 
Stoney  Point  and  Verplank,  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  after 
which  he  went  forward  to  the  Highlands. 

Previous  to  these  operations.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had 
concerted  measures  with  the  tories  and  British  under  his 
command,  to  assume  a  general  system  of  predatory  war 
in  America,  and  submitted  his  plans  to  the  British  minis- 
try, who  expressed  their  approbation.  This  plan  soon 
reached  the  American  commission,  at  Paris,  and  was  com- 
municated to  Governor  Trumbull,  of  Connecticut,  on  the 
6th  of  April,  1779. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  detached  General  Trvon,  (late  Go- 
18 


< 

206  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

vernor  of  New-York,)  with  2600  land  forces,  protected  by 
a  squadron  under  Sir  George  Collier,  and  supported  by 
General  Garth,  to  begin  their  depredations  in  Connecti- 
cut. On  the  4th  of  July,  the  armament  moved  into  the 
Sound,  and  the  commanders  issued  their  proclamation  to 
the  citizens  of  Connecticut,  offering  pardon  and  protec- 
tion to  all  such  as  would  return  to  their  allegiance,  but 
hreatening  ruin  and  destruction  to  all  who  should  reject 
his  overture.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  General  Tryon 
landed  his  division  at  East-Haven  ;  General  Garth  landed 
at  the  same  time  at  West-Haven,  and  proceeded  directly 
to  New-Haven,  and  gave  up  the  town  to  promiscuous  pil- 
lage. The  militia  collected  so  fast  on  the  next  day,  that 
the  enemy  abandoned  the  town  in  haste,  burnt  several 
stores  on  long  wharf,  and  embarked  their  troops. 

The  infamous  Tryon  next  proceeded  to  the  plunder  of 
East-Haven,  and  then  sailed  for  Fail-field.  The  town  and 
vicinity  were  laid  in  ruins,  and  the  enemy  embarked  for 
Norwalk,  which  was  next  laid  in  ashes.  He  then  return- 
ed to  New- York. 

In  this  incursion,  four  houses  for  public  worship,  near 
one  hundred  dwellings,  eighty  barns,  about  thirty  stores, 
seventeen  shops,  four  mills,  and  five  vessels,  were  burnt. 
And,  in  addition  to  this  destruction  of  property,  the  great- 
est acts  of  brutality  were  perpetrated.  Women  were  in- 
sulted and  abused,  while  their  apparel  was  robbed,  and 
desks,  trunks,  and  closets,  were  rifled. 

But  a  plan  was  concerted  by  General  Washington, 
which  kept  in  check  this  hero  of  rapine  and  conflagration. 
This  plan  issued  in  the  capture  of  "Stoney  Point,  on  the 
Hudson. 

General  Wayne  commenced  his  movements  against 
Stoney  Point,  on  the  15th,  at  noon ;  and,  after  having 
crossed  the  mountains,  through  dangerous  and  difficult 
defiles,  he  approached  the  fort  about  eight  of  the  same 
evening.  Having  reconnoitered  the  position  of  the  ene- 
my, the  general  put  himself  at  the  head  of  his  brave 
troops,  and,  at  twenty  minutes  past  twelve  precisely,  on 
the  night  of  the  16th,  entered  the  fort  with  screwed  bayo- 
nets, amidst  a  most  tremendous  fire  of  musket  and  grape, 
and  carried  the  fortress  without  firing  a  gun.  Lieute- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  207 

nant-Colonel  Fleury  entered  the  fort  with  his  division, 
upon  the  opposite  side,  at  the  same  time,  and  both  parties 
met  in  the  centre  ;  but  the  garrison  was  spared  and  made 
prisoners  of  war,  to  the  number  of  five  hundred  and  for- 
ty-three. General  Wayne  dismantled  the  fort,  and 
brought  off  the  cannon,  stores,  &c.  agreeable  to  orders. 

Congress  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  General  Washing- 
ton, General  Wayne,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  under 
their  command,  for  the  masterly  exploit  in  the  capture  of 
Stoney  Point. 

The  English,  having  persuaded  the  six  nations,  except- 
ing the  Oneidas,  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  United 
States,  General  Sullivan  was  sent  with  a  detachment  of 
'from  four  to  five  thousand  men  to  chastise  them.  He 
marched  up  the  Susquehannah,  and  attacked  them  in  their 
fortifications,  which  were  well  constructed  The  resist- 
ance was  obstinate,  but  they  were  compelled  to  yield,  and 
took  to  flight.  According  to  his  instructions,  their  coun- 
try was  devastated,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand 
bushels  of  corn  were  consumed. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  will  now  be  turned  to  the 
ocean,  where  the  brilliant  achievements  of  our  hardy  tars 
struck  with  terror  "  the  mistress  of  the  seas." 

About  the  last  of  July,  the  American  captain,  John 
Paul  Jones,  sailed  from  port  L'Orient,  in  France,  on  a 
cruise,  on  board  the  French  ship,  the  Bon  Homme  Rich- 
ard, of  forty  guns,  and  375  men,  accompanied  by  the  fri- 
gates Alliance,  of  thirty-six  guns,  Pallas,  thirty-two  guns, 
and  the  Vengeance,  an  armed  brig  of  twelve  guns,  and  a 
cutter.  Commodore  Jones^  cruised  off  the  coast  of 
Scotland,  with  his  little  squadron,  until  he  fell  in  with  the 
homeward  bound  Baltic  fleet,  under  the  convoy  of  the 
Serapis,  Captain  Pierson,  and  Countess  of  Scarborough, 
Captain  Pearcy.  When  Captain  Pierson  discovered  Com- 
modore Jones,  he  made  sail  to  cover  the  convoy,  and 
gave  signal  at  the  same  time  for  the  Countess  of  Scarbo- 
rough to  join  him,  which  was  immediately  done,  Sept.  23. 

Commodore  Jones  immediately  laid  his  ship  along  side 
of  the  Serapis,  and  commenced  an  action,  which  soon 
became  desperate  ;  but  the  Serapis  appeared  to  reap  ad- 
vantage from  her  superior  management.  To  obviate  this, 


208  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Commodore  Jones  laid  his  ship  across  the  bow  of  the 
Serapis,  and  the  ships  grappled,  yard  arm  and  yard  arm, 
and  the  muzzles  of  their  guns  were  nearly  in  contact.  In 
this  position  they  lay,  vomiting  forth  death,  and  strewing 
the  decks  with  carnage  and  destruction,  about  two  hours. 
Both  ships  were  frequently  on  fire,  but  the  Serapis  not 
less  than  ten  or  twelve  times. 

The  Alliance  attempted  to  co-operate  in  the  action,  and 
with  some  good  effect,  until  the  darkness  of  the  evening 
rendered  it  impossible  to  distinguish  correctly,  when  she 
killed  eleven  men,  and  wounded  several  others,  on  board 
the  Bon  Homme  Richard.  At  this  critical  moment  the 
Serapis  struck,  and  closed  the  sanguinary  scene.  The 
Bon  Homme  Richard,  at  the  close  of  the  action,  was  so 
much  of  a  wreck  as  to  have  seven  feet  of  water  in  her 
hold,  which  rendered  it  necessary  to  remove  the  crew 
onboard  the  Serapis,  and  the  wounded  on  board  the  Pal- 
las. On  the  24th,  her  pumps  were  closely  plied  ;  but  on 
the  25th,  she  went  down;  fortunately  no  lives  were  lost. 

The  Pallas  engaged  and  took  the  Countess  of  Scarbo- 
rough, at  the  same  time,  and  Commodore  Jones  sailed 
with  his  prizes  for  the  coast  of  Holland,  and  anchored 
off  the  Texel. 

We  shall  now  return  to  the  operations  in  the  southern 
states. 

Instead  of  pursuing  General  Prescott  in  his  retreat  to 
Georgia,  General  Lincoln  devoted  all  his  powers  and 
strength  to  the  defence  of  Charleston,  against  any  fur- 
ther attack.  After  learning  the  success  of  the  Count 
D'Estaing  in  the  West  Indies,  Governor  Rutledge,  Gene- 
ral Lincoln,  and  the  French  Consul,  wrote  to  the  count, 
inviting  him  to  co-operate  with  the  Americans  in  the  re* 
duction  of  Savannah.  The  invitation  was  accepted,  and 
on  the  first  of  September  he  arrived  off  Charleston,  with 
a  fleet  of  twenty  sail  of  the  line,  two  of  fifty  guns,  and 
eleven  frigates.  A  British  eighty  gun  ship  and  three  fri- 
gates were  taken  by  surprise. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  count,  General  Lincoln  marched 
with  all  his  troops  for  Savannah.  The  fleet  sailed  to  join 
him ;  the  French  troops  were  landed  in  ten  or  twelve 
days,  and  Count  D'Estaing  summoned  the  town  to  surreti- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  209 

der  to  the  arms  of  the  King  of  France.  General  Lin- 
coln remonstrated  against  this,  as  the  Americans  were 
acting  in  concert.  The  Count  persisted,  and  General 
Prescott  demanded  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  twenty- 
four  hours,  to  deliberate,  which  was  granted.  During 
this  time,  seven  or  eight  hundred  troops  arrived  from 
Beaufort,  and  General  Prescott  determined  to  defend  the 
town  to  the  last  extremity.  The  count  saw  his  error, 
and  consulted  General  Lincoln,  and  they  united  their 
efforts  to  carry  the  town  by  a  regular  siege. 

On  the  23d  of  September  the  allies  broke  ground,  and 
commenced  their  operations.  On  the  4th  of  October, 
they  opened  their  batteries,  and  began  to  play  upon  the 
town  with  nine  mortars,  and  fifty-four  pieces  of  cannon, 
which  continued  four  or  five  days  without  intermission* 
but  without  any  apparent  effect.  On  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  the  enemy  sallied  out,  and  attempted  to  set  fire  to 
the  abattis ;  but  the  materials  were  green,  the  weather 
moist,  and  the  attempt  failed.  General  Prescott  next  re- 
quested, that  the  women  and  children  might  be  removed  ; 
but  this  wras  refused,  and  the  allies  resolved  to  carry  the 
town  by  storm. 

The  morning  of  the  9th  was  the  time  agreed  upon,  and 
the  assault  commenced.  The  attack  was  well  concerted, 
and  bravely  executed,  by  the  allies ;  yet  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  was  so  destructive,  that  the  troops  gave  way,  after 
having  planted  the  French  and  American  standards  upon 
the  British  redoubts.  At  this  eventful  moment  the  brave 
Count  Pulaski  fell,  mortally  wounded,  at  the  head  of  his 
legion,  when  charging  the  enemy  in  their  rear,  in  the  full 
career  of  victory.  The  allies  supported  this  desperate 
conflict  fifty-five  minutes,  under  a  deadly  fire  from  the 
enemy's  batteries,  and  then  made  good  their  retreat,  with 
the  loss  of  six  hundred  and  thirty-seven  French,  and  two 
hundred  and  thirty-four  continentals^  killed  and  wounded. 

The  defence  of  the  place  was  well  conducted  by  Gene- 
ral Prescott,  and  he  certainly  deserved  the  applause  of  his 
king  and  country. 

In  consideration  of  the  bravery  of  Count  Pulaski,  the 
congiess  resolved  that  a  monument  be  erected  to  his 
memory 

18* 


210  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

The  Count  D'Estaing  soon  embarked,  and  seven  ships 
were  ordered  for  the  Chesapeake,  one  of  which  only  ar- 
rived at  the  place  of  destination,  tlie  fleet  having;  been 
dispersed  by  a  storm.  The  remainder  steered  for  the 
West  Indies. 

As  Sir  Henry  Clinton  expected  an  attack  on  New- 
York  by  the  French  fleet,  General  Pigot  was  ordered 
to  evacuate  Rhode-Island,  which  order  was  accomplish- 
ed, and  the  troops  repaired  to  head-quarters  at  New- 
York. 

Near  the  close  of  December,  as  the  coast  was  still 
clear,  Sir  Henry  planned  an  expedition  to  South  Caro- 
lina. He  embarked  seven  thousand  live  hundred  troops, 
under  convoy  of  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  and  about  the  last 
of  January,  1780,  he  appeared  off  Charleston.  As  one 
ordnance  ship,  and  several  transports,  had  been  wrecked 
and  lost  on  the  passage,  and  several  taken  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, he  was  not  prepared  to  effect  a  landing  until  Febru- 
ary llth,  Avhenhe  landed  on  the  south  side  of  John's 
Island,  thirty  miles  from  the  city. 

*•  But  this  expedition  had  been  foreseen  by  congress,  and 
preparations  were  made  to  meet  it.  Three  continental 
frigates  were  to  sail  for  the  port,  and  a  trusty  officer  was 
despatched  to  the  Havanna,  in  order  to  obtain  ships  and 
troops  for  the  defence,  promising,  as  a  return,  two  thou- 
sand men  to  co-operate  with  the  Spaniards  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  St.  Augustine. 

To  the  force  of  seven  or  eight  thousand  men,  General 
Lincoln  could  oppose  but  two  thousand  four  hundred, 
near  half  of  whom  were  militia  ;  yet  with  them  he  hoped 
to  defend  the  city.  The  continental  frigates  arrived,  and, 
landing  their  crews,  guns,  and  equipments,  prepared  to 
act  on  the  defensive.  The  British  admiral  entered  the 
harbour  with  all  the  ships  which  could  pass  the  bar. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  the  town  was  summoned  to  sur- 
render, which  the  commander  refused.  On  the  12th,  Sir 
Henry  opened  his  batteries  on  the  town,  and  his  fire  wa  > 
promptly  returned  during  eight  successive  days.  On  the 
18th,  a  reinforcement  arrived  from  New-York,  of  three, 
thousand  men,  and  Sir  Henry  approached  within  three 
Hundred  vards  of  the  American  lines.  A  council  of  war 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  211 

was  now  called,  by  General  Lincoln,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing was  the  result. 

"  A  retreat  would  be  attended  with  many  distressing 
inconveniences,  if  not  altogether  impracticable,  for  the 
undermentioned  causes. 

1.  The  authority  is  averse  to  it,  and  would  counteract 
the  measure. 

2.  It  must  be  performed  in  the  face  of  a  superior  enemy, 
across  a  river  three  miles  wide. 

3.  The  passes  are  occupied  by  the  enemy,  which  must 
be  forced. 

4.  All  these  obstacles  being  overcome,  the  Santee  must 
be  crossed  without  boats,  in  the  face  of  a  pursuing  enemy. 
We,  therefore,  advise  to  make  immediate  terms  with  the 
enemy." 

General  Lincoln,  however,  determined  to  continue  the 
defence ;  but,  on  the  26th,  General  Lincoln  again  sum- 
moned another  council  of  war,  and  at  the  eventful  mo- 
ment, the  flag  of  the  enemy  was  seen  to  wave  on  the  walls 
of  Fort  Moultrie.  Sullivan's  Island  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  on  the  6th  of  May. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  pushed  his  approaches,  and  on  the 
8th,  he  opened  a  correspondence  with  General  Lincoln ; 
renewed  his  summons,  offered  terms,  &c.  and  threatened 
to  renew  hostilities  at  8  o'clock.  The  eventful  hour  ar- 
rived, and  awful,  solemn  silence  ensued ;  neither  party 
fired  a  gun ;  all  was  anxious  suspense  for  an  hour,  yet 
neither  party  moved  a  proposition.  At  9,  the  besieged 
opened  a  fire  upon  the  enemy,  who,  in  their  turn,  opened 
their  batteries  upon  the  town,  which  threatened  to  bury 
it  in  ruins.  The  town  was  repeatedly  on  fire,  and  many 
houses  were  burnt ;  at  the  same  time,  Sir  Henry  advanced 
his  last  parallel  to  the  distance  of  twenty  yards,  and  pre- 
pared for  a  general  assault,  by  sea  and  land. 

The  critical  moment  had  now  arrived ;  the  people,  by 
their  leaders,  called  on  General  Lincoln  to  renew  the  con- 
ference, and  make  terms  with  the  enemy.  The  lieutenant- 
governor  and  council  enforced  the  request.  The  militia 
threw  down  their  arms,  and  all  was  submission. 

General  Lincoln  renewed  the  conference  with  Sir  Henry, 
and  accepted  his  terms.  Sir  Henry  complied,  and  the 


212  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

next  day  the  garrison,  with  all  such  as  nad  borne  arms, 
marched  out,  and  became  prisoners  of  war,  May  12th. 

The  French  consul,  and  the  subjects  of  France  and 
Spain,  were,  with  their  houses  and  effects,  to  be  protect- 
ed; but  they  themselves  were  to  be  considered  prisoners 
of  war. 

At  this  time,  Colonel  Buford  was  advancing  through 
the  upper  country,  with  a  party  of  300  Virginians,  to  the 
relief  of  Charleston.  When  Colonel  Tarleton  learnt  the 
position  of  this  party,  he  advanced  with  about  700  ca- 
valry and  mounted  infantry,  by  a  forced  march  of  105 
miles,  in  fifty-four  hours,  and  surprised  them  at  the  Wax- 
haws,  and  summoned  the  colonel  to  surrender.  A  parley 
ensued  ;  and  during  the  conference,  Colonel  Tarleton 
surrounded  the  party,  and  cut  them  to  pieces,  while  beg- 
ging for  mercy.  Thirty-seven  only  were  made  prisoners, 
and  the  remainder  were  either  killed  or  wounded  in  the 
butchery.  Lord  Cornwallis  highly  applauded  the  act, 
and  recommended  Colonel  Tarleton  specially  to  the  fa- 
vour of  his  sovereign.  With  this  blow,  the  state  of  South 
Carolina  was  subdued,  and  a  regular  British  government 
was  organized. 

General  Gates,  then  in  Virginia,  was  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed General  Lincoln,  in  the  southern  command. 

'Georgia  and  South  Carolina  were  now  wholly  subdued, 
and  the  enemy  saw  his  way  clear,  to  advance  into  North 
Carolina. 

To  counteract  these  movements  of  Tarleton,  and  keej 
up  the  spirits  of  the  people,  Generals  Marion  and  Sump 
ter,  at  the  head  of  their  flying  parties;  kept  up  a  system 
of  predatory  warfare,  that  greatly  harassed  and  annoyed 
the  enemy.  So  sharp  and  desperate  were  their  attacks, 
that,  in  one  instance,  General  Sumpter  reduced  the  Prince 
of  Wales'  regiment,  from  the  number  of  278  to  nine. 

While  the  brave  Sumpter  was  thus  harassing  the  enemy, 
and  animating  the  zeal  of  the  inhabitants,  a  considerable 
force  was  traversing  the  middle  states  south  ward,  for  the 
relief  of  the  British  troops. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  Generals  Kniphausen,  Robertson, 
Try  on  and  Sterling,  crossed  over  from  S  tat  en  Island  into 
New-Jersey,  at  the  head  of  5000  regulars.  On  the  7th, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  213 

they  advanced  to  Connecticut  Farms,  distant  about  five 
miles,  in  quest  of  the  Rev.  James  Caldwell,  whose  patri- 
otic zeal  had  rendered  him  peculiarly  obnoxious  ;  wan- 
tonly shot  his  wife  in  her  own  house,  then  burnt  the  house 
and  meeting-house,  .with  about  a  dozen  other  dwelling 
houses.  The  royal  army  next  attempted  to  advance  to 
Springfield,  but  were  checked  by  Colonel  Dayton,  sup- 
ported by  General  Maxwell^  and  they  fled  in  disorder. 

General  Washington  considered  this  movement  as  a 
feint  in  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  open  the  way  for  an  attack 
upon  West  Point.  He  accordingly  detached  General 
Greene,  at  the  head  of  a  strong  party,  to  watch  the  mo- 
tions of  the  enemy.  General  Washington,  learning  from 
General  Greene,  that  Springfield  was  their  object  of  des- 
tination, sent  forward  a  detachment  to  support  General 
.Greene. 

The  enemy  advanced  upon  Springfield,  at  five  in  the 
morning  of  the  23d  of  June.  General  Greene  disputed 
every  pass  valiantly,  but  obstinate  bravery  was  constrained 
to  yield  to  superior  numbers ;  General  Greene  retired  to 
the  high  grounds,  and  the  enemy  gained  the  town,  which 
they  destroyed. 

The  commander-in-chief,  sensible  of  the  worth  afcd 
talents  of  General  Greene,  returned  the  thanks  of  himself 
and  his  suffering  country,  to  him  and  the  men  under  his 
command.  But  this  skirmish  was  not  to  pass  offso  lightly. 
The  militia  rallied  in  considerable  force,  and  drove  the 
enemy  to  Staten  Island,  in  a  precipitate  retreat. 

The  Marquis  La  Fayette,  who  had  been  to  France  on 
leave  of  absence,  now  returned  to  head  quarters.  He  had 
negotiated  for  supplies  from  the  French  government,  and 
an  armament  was  soon  to  follow  him.  On  the  10th  of 
July,  the  armament  arrived  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island, 
consisting  of  two  ships  of  eighty  guns,  ofle  of  seventy- 
four,  four  of  sixty-four,  twa  frigates  of  forty,  a  cutter  of 
twenty,  an  hospital  ship,  pierced  for  sixty-four,  one  bomb- 
ship,  and  thirty-two  transports,  under  the  command  of 
the  Chevalier  de  Ternay.  Also,  four  old  regiments  of  land 
forces,  together  with  the  legion  of  de  Lauzern,  and  a  bat- 
talion of  artillery ;  in  the  whole,  about  6000,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  General  Count  de  Rochambeau. 


214  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

General  Heath  received  the  count  at  his  landing,  and 
put  him  and  his  troops  in  possession  of  the  island,  where 
they  were  handsomely  accommodated.  The  General 
Assembly,  then  in  session  at  Newport,  by  their  special 
committee,  presented  the  count  with  a  complimentary 
address,  to  which  the  count  replied,  with  assurances  that 
a  much  greater  force  would  soon  follow  him,  and  that  his 
whole  powers  would  be  devoted  to  the  service  of  the 
United  States. 

"  The  French  troops,"  added  the  count,  "  are  under 
the  strictest  discipline,  and,  acting  under  the  orders  of 
General  Washington,  will  live  with  the  Americans  as  bre- 
thren. I  am  highly  sensible  of  the  marks  of  respect  shown 
me  by  the  Assembly,  and  beg  leave  to  assure  them  that, 
as  brethren,  not  only  my  life,  but  the  lives  of  the  troops 
under  my  command,  are  devoted  to  their  service." 

The  marquis  witnessed  these  respectful  attentions  to  his 
countrymen,  and,  in  honour  to  our  French  allies,  Wash- 
ington directed,  in  his  general  orders,  that  black  and  white 
cockades  should  be  worn  as  a  compliment. 

But  the  wants  of  the  country  were  pressing,  and  Con- 
gress directed,  that  bills  to  the  amount  of  twenty-five 
thousand  pounds  sterling  should  be  drawn  on  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, at  the  French  court ;  and  that  bills  to  the  same  amount 
should  be  drawn  on  John  Jay,  minister  at  the  court  of 
Spain,  and  that  the  money  should  be  immediately  applied 
to  the  use  of  the  troops. 

After  the  fall  of  Charleston,  Sir  Henry  committed  the 
care  of  the  southern  states  to  Lord  Corn  wall  is,  at  the 
head  of  four  thousand  men,  and  returned  to  New-York. 

The  arrival  of  the  fleet  under  the  Chevalier  Ternay,  at 
Rhode  Island,  gave  Admiral  Arbuthnot  considerable 
alarm.  His  whole  force  amounted  to  but  four  ships  of 
the  line.  Bui0*he  was  joined  by  Admiral  Graves,  with 
six  line  of  battle  ships,  and  felt  himself  secure  from  at- 
tack in  New- York.  With  this  reinforcement  Sir  Henry 
concerted  an  attack  on  the  French  fleet  at  Newport,  and 
immediately  embarked  eight  thousand  troops.  The  fleet 
put  into  Huntington  Bay,  on  Long  Island.  The  country 
was  alarmed,  and  the  militia  turned  out  in  force.  But 
General  Washington  made  a  diversion,  by  moving  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  215 

whole  force  down  to  Kingsbridge,  and  threatening  New- 
York.  The  plan  succeeded,  and  Sir  Henry  returned  to 
New- York  in  haste. 

In  the  south,  Lord  Cornwallis,  having  settled  the  go- 
vernment of  South  Carolina,  prepared  to  subdue  the  re- 
bellious spirit  of  the  North  Carolinians.  This  was  seen 
by  Ihe  Americans,  and  General  Gates,  with  the  shadow  of 
an  army,  moved  across  Deep  River,  on  the  27th  of  July, 
to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  On  the  6th  of  Au- 
gust, he  was  joined  by  General  Caswell,  at  the  head  of  a 
fine  body  of  North  Carolina  militia,  who  were  in  good 
spirits,  but  under  bad  discipline  ;  and  he  encamped  at  the 
Cross  Roads,  on  his  way  to  Camden.  On  the  13th  he 
noved  forward  his  army  to  Clermont,  where  he  was 
joined  by  Brigadier-General  Stevens,  with  about  seven 
hundred  Virginia  militia.  An  express  also  arrived,  in- 
forming him  that  Colonel  Sumpter  would  join  him  at  Cam- 
den  with  a  detachment  of  South  Carolina  militia,  and  that 
an  escort  of  clothing,  ammunition,  and  stores,  was  on  its 
way  from  Charleston  to  Camden,  for  the  use  of  the  garri- 
son posted  there. 

General  Gates  immediately  detached  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Woodford,  at  the  head  of  the  Maryland  line,  consist- 
ing of  one  hundred  infantry,  a  company  of  artillery,  with 
two  brass  field  pieces,  and  about  three  hundred  North 
Carolina  militia,  to  join  Colonel  Sumpter,  reduce  the 
forts,  and  intercept  the  convoy.  General  Gates  prepared 
to  support  Colonel  Sumpter  with  his  whole  force ;  total 
about  four  thousand. 

But  Cornwallis  had  anticipated  this  movement,  and  en- 
tered Camden  the  day  previous,  and  an  attack  was  medi- 
tated on  General  Gates,  in  his  camp  at  Clermont.  Both 
generals  put  their  armies  in  motion  early  in  the  evening 
of  the  15th,  and  their  advance  parties  met  in  the  woods 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  16th;  a  conflict 
ensued,  the  Americans  gave  way  in  some  disorder,  but 
they  soon  recovered,  and  a  skirmishing  continued  through 
the  night. 

When  morning  appeared,  both  generals  made  their  dis- 
positions to  contest  the  field.  An  action  commenced ; 
the  regular  troops  were  firm,  but  the  militia  being  over- 


216  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

powered  by  the  British  bayonets,  gave  way,  and  dispersed 
as  they  fled.  The  victory  wras  complete,  and  the  general 
and  his  regulars  were  abandoned  to  their  fate.  Several 
parties  of  militia,  who  were  advancing  to  join  the  army, 
turned  their  arms  against  the  fugitives,  and  thus  completed 
the  overthrow.  The  pursuit  continued  for  more  than 
twenty  miles,  and  the  road  was  strewed  with  the  frag- 
ments of  this  routed  army,  together  with  the  wounded, 
the  dead,  and  the  dying.  A  party  of  horse,  supported  by 
200  infantry,  at  the  distance  of  more  than  eighty  miles 
from  the  scene  of  action,  upon  the  first  intelligence,  aban- 
doned their  ground,  and  sought  safety  by  flight. 

The  brave  Baron  de  Kalb  fell  in  this  action,  much  and 
deservedly  lamented.  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  Mary- 
land troops,  and  second  in  command.  Congress  ordered 
that  a  monument  should  be  raised  to  his  memory  at 
Annapolis. 

The  advantages  of  this  victory  were  not  great.  The 
losses,  and  want  of  supplies,  in  a  sickly  season,  compelled 
Cornwallis  to  return  to  Camden. 

General  Greene  now  arrived,  and  succeeded  General 
Gates  in  the  command  of  the  southern  army. 

The  country  still  continued  to  sufler  by  the  ravages  oi 
Tarleton,  who  was  detached,  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  to 
dislodge  General  Morgan  from  his  position  at  the  Cow- 
pens. 

He  commenced  his  operations  with  his  usual  impe- 
tuosity ;  traversed  the  country  for  several  days,  laying 
waste  every  thing  in  his  course,  until  he  arrived  at  Mor- 
gan's position,  and  commenced  an  action  with  the  same 
impetuosity  ;  the  Americans  were  dislodged  with  some 
disorder,  but  they  rallied  to  the  charge,  and  were  victori- 
ous in  turn.  Tarleton  was  defeated,  his  army  routed,  his 
artillery  and  baggage  taken,  and  he,  with  the  mounted  fu- 
gitives, fled  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  January  ?th,  1781. 

This  defeat  roused  his  lordship  ;  he  commenced  a  pur- 
suit, and  the  American*  inured.  General  Greene  had 
the  address  to  harass  his  iorqship,  and  yet  avoid  a  general 
action,  until  he  arrived  at  Guilford,  near  the  coniines  of 
Virginia,  where  he  made  a  stand  and  gave  him  battle. 
General  Greene,  with  his  little  at  iv,  had  hopes  of  sue- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  217 

cess  against  his  lordship's  pursuing  forces,  though  greatly 
superior.  The  movements  were  well  concerted,  and  well 
executed,  and  the  conflict  was  sharp  and  bloody  ;  but  the 
militia  gave  way,  the  regulars  were  overpowered,  and 
General  Greene  drew  off  his  troops  in  good  order,  and 
took  a  strong  position. 

The  severity  of  the  action  occasioned  his  lordship  to 
make  a  retrograde  movement  to  recover  his  losses. 

Sir  Henry  had  detached  a  fleet  from  New- York,  with 
fifteen  hundred  troops  on  board,  to  co-operate  with  Corn- 
wallis.  The  troops  were  landed  in  Chesapeake  Bay,  and 
committed  the  most  alarming  depredations.  Ineffectual 
attempts  were  made  to  dislodge  them.  A  movement  was 
now  made  by  General  Greene  towards  South  Carolina, 
which  had  become  an  enemy's  country.  He  boldly  ad- 
vanced, and  gave  battle  to  Lord  Rawdon,  who  was  in  the 
vicinity  of  Camden.  A  desperate  contest  ensued,  and 
victory  was  doubtful.  Both  withdrew  from  the  conflict, 
and  left  the  field  covered  with  the  dead.  Lord  Rawdon 
retired  to  Camden,  and  strengthened  his  position. 

General  Greene  advanced,  and  by  a  desperate  assault, 
was  on  the  point  of  carrying  the  strong  fortress  of  Nine- 
ty Six,  the  reduction  of  which  would  have  recovered  all 
South  Carolina,  except  Charleston. 

At  this  critical  moment,  Lord  Rawdon  retired  in  person 
to  Charleston;  put  himself  at  the  head  of  1700  fresh 
troops,  then  arrived  from  Ireland,  and,  by  forced  marches, 
advanced  to  the  relief  of  Ninety  Six.  The  approach 
of  his  lordship  compelled  General  Greene  to  abandon  the 
assault,  when  engaged  hand  to  hand  with  the  enemy,  and 
when  victory  was  ready  to  decide  in  his  favour.  The  ge- 
neral drew  off  his  army  towards  Camden  in  good  order, 
and  his  lordship  pursued  ;  but  General  Greene  eluded  his 
lordship,  by  filing  off  towards  Charleston,  and  taking  a 
strong  position  upon  the  hills  of  Santee.  Lord  Rawdon 
retired  to  Charleston. 

The  war,  during  these  operafl&ns  in  the  south,  raged 
in  Virginia,  under  the  command  of  General  Phillips, 
through  the  month  of  April,  and  the  ravages  of  the  ene- 
my exceeded  ail  description.  At  Petersburg,  they  de- 
stroyed all  the  shioping,  and  about  four  hundred 

19 


218  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

heads  of  tobacco.  At  Osborn's  Mills,  they  took  two 
ships  and  ten  smaller  vessels,  laden  with  cordage,  flour, 
<fec.  Four  ships  and  a  number  of  smaller  vessels  were 
burnt  or  sunk,  besides  many  others  destroyed  by  the  Ame- 
ricans, to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  ene- 
my, together  with  about  three  thousand  hogsheads  of  to- 
bacco, April  27.  On  the  30th,  they  penetrated  to  Man- 
hester,  destroyed  1200  hogsheads  more,  thence  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Warwick,  and  laid  waste  the  shipping,  both  in 
the  river  and  on  the  stocks;  also,  extensive  rope  walks, 
tanneries,  warehouses,  and  magazines  of  flour,  mills, 
&c.  in  one  general  conflagration,  and  then  embarked  on 
board  their  shipping. 

The  Baron  Steuben  opposed  this  party,  but  his  force 
was  insufficient  to  make  any  serious  impressions.  The 
Marquis  La  Fayette  was  detached  with  troops  to  succour 
the  town;  but  such  was  the  state  of  the  military  funds, 
that  when  he  arrived  at  Baltimore,  he  was  obliged  to  bor- 
row two  thousand  guineas,  on  his  own  responsibility,  to 
enable  him  to  proceed.  On  the  strength  of  this,  he  ad- 
vanced to  Richmond,  where  he  joined  the  baron,  with  the 
Virginia  militia,  and  covered  Richmond.  Here  he  watch- 
ed the  movements  of  the  enemy,  though  too  weak  to 
check  all  their  operations.  On  the  9th  of  May,  General 
Phillips  entered  Petersburg,  where  he  died  on  the  13th. 

Of  the  sufferings  of  the  southern  army  we  may  form 
some  estimate,  by  reading  an  extract  of  a  letter  from 
General  Greene  to  the  marquis  : 

"  You  may  depend  upon  it,  that  nothing  can  equal  the 
sufferings  of  our  little  army,  but  their  merits.  Let  not 
the  love  of  fame  get  the  better  of  your  prudence,  and 
plunge  you  into  a  misfortune,  in  too  eager  a  pursuit  after 
glory.  This  is  the  voice  of  a  friend,  not  of  a"  general." 

Lord  Cornwallis  had  advanced  from  Guilford  to  Wil- 
mington, and  left  General  Greene  in  the  rear.  From  Wil- 
mington he  advanc<?w!  to  join  General  Phillips,  in  Peters- 
burg. The  general  was  dead,  but  he  found  eighteen  hun- 
dred troops,  and,  being  thus  reinforced,  he  advanced  to- 
wards Richmond,  in  order  to  dislodge  the  marquis.  Flush- 
ed by  recent  triumphs,  in  a  letter  to  Sir  Henry,  he  thus 
wrote,  '•  the  boy  cannot  escape  me."  The  marquis  did 
escape,  however,  and  evacuated  the  place  on  th**  27th. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  219 

On  the  7th  of  June,  General  Wayne  joined  the  marquis 
with  eight  hundred  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia.  While 
on  the  march,  however,  supposing  the  main  army  of  Corn- 
wallis  had  crossed  the  River  James,  he  attacked  what  he 
supposed  to  be  the  rear  guard,  when,  to  his  surprise,  he 
found  the  general  at  the  head  of  the  army  ready  to  re- 
ceive him.  Finding  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  he  advanced 
to  the  charge  at  the  head  of  his  column  in  gallant  style. 
The  conflict  was  sharp,  and,  availing  himself  of  his  first 
impression,  he  hastily  withdrew,  leaving  the  general  as 
much  astonished  as  he  found  him.  He  retreated  in  good 
order,  without  pursuit,  as  Cornwallis  probably  concluded 
that  it  was  an  ambuscade.  His  lordship  retired  in  the 
night,  and  marched  to  Portsmouth. 


CHAPTER  XL 

Treason  of  Arnold — Major  Andre  taken. 

Immediately  after  the  fall  of  Charleston,  in  May,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  returned  to  New- York  to  commence  the 
operations  of  the  season. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  1780,  General  Wash- 
ington retired  from  head-quarters  (near  New- York)  with 
his  suite,  General  Knox,  and  the  Marquis  La  Fayette,  to 
meet  Admiral  Ternay,  and  Count  Rochambeau,  at  Hart- 
ford, '(Connecticut,)  agreeable  to  appointment;  and  about 
the  21st,  the  parties  met  accordingly.  The  avowed  ob- 
ject of  their  conference  was  to  concert  measures  for  the 
reduction  of  New-York. 

In  the  midst  of  this  conference,  an  express  arrived  from 
West  Point,  on  the  Hudson,  announcing  the  traitorous 
designs  of  General  Arnold.  The  council  was  immediately 
closed  ;  the  parties  retired,  and  General  Washington  wenf 
to  the  relief  of  West  Point.  On  his  arrival,  he  found  thtf 
fortress  dismantled,  the  cannon  dismounted,  and  that 
Arnold  had  fled,  and  taken  refuge  on  board  the  British 
sloop  of  war  Vulture,  then  lying  in  the  river. 

Whilst  his  excellency  was  employed  in  repairing  the 


220  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

fortress,  a  prisoner  was  announced,  who  proved  to  be  the 
unfortunate  Major  Andre,  who  had  volunteered  his  ser- 
vices to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  negotiate  the  treacherous 
design.  His  character  was  that  of  a  spy  ;  his  fate  was 
death  !  Let  us  pass  over  this  distressing  scene.  The 
righteous  sacrifice  greatly  interested  the  feelings,  and 
touched  the  sympathy  of  every  American  breast. 

The  feelings  of  General  Washington  upon  this  event- 
ful occasion,  may  be  seen  in  the  following  extract  from 
his  private  correspondence  of  October  1 3th  : 

"  In  no  instance  since  the  commencement  of  the  war, 
has  the  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  appeared  more 
remarkably  conspicuous,  than  in  the  rescue  of  the  fort 
and  garrison  at  West  Point.  Andre  has  met  his  fate,  and 
with  that  fortitude  that  was  to  have  been  expected  from 
an  accomplished  man,  and  a  gallant  officer  ;  but  I  am  mis- 
taken if  Arnold  is  not  undergoing,  at  this  time,  the  tor- 
ments of  a  mental  hell."1 

In  the  month  of  October,  1780,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  de- 
tached General  Arnold  on  a  marauding  expedition,  into 
Virginia,  with  about  1600  men,  and  a  number  of  armed 
vessels  ;  he  laid  waste  the  country  upon  James  River,  in 
several  predatory  excursions,  until  his  progress  was  ar- 
rested by  the  appearance  of  the  French  squadron  from 
Newport.  This  fleet  put  an  end  to  the  ravages  of  Ar- 
nold, by  capturing  and  destroying  a  very  considerable 
part  of  his  fleet ;  and  would  have  caused  the  destruction 
of  the  traitor,  had  not  a  British  fleet  appeared  from  New- 
York,  for  the  relief  of  Arnold,  and  by  a  naval  engagement 
off  the  capes  of  Virginia,  with  the  French  fleet,  afforded 
him  an  opportunity  to  escape  to  New-York.  The  French 
returned  to  Newport. 

On  the  18th  of  December,  the  Chevalier  Charles  Louis 
de  Ternay,  Knight  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  late  governor 
of  the  Isles  of  France  and  Bourbon,  and  commander  of 
the  French  squadron  in  the  American  seas,  died  in  New- 
port, and  was  interred  in  Trinity  church-yard  the  next 
day,  with  military  honours. 

The  frequent  changes  in  the  army,  owing  to  short  en- 
listments ;  the  want  of  pay,  clothing,  provisions,  &c. 
had  repeatedly  distressed  the  army,  and  were  at  last  ac- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  221 

companied  with  the  revolt  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  ex- 
tfepting  three  regiments.  In  defiance  of  all  the  efforts  of 
General  Wayne  and  all  the  other  officers,  they  seized  on 
six  field  pieces,  and  took  up  their  march  for  Princeton, 
January,  1781. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  upon  the  first  intelligence,  made 
some  important  movements  from  Staten  Island,  and  sent 
spies  at  the  same  time,  to  countenance  and  encourage  the 
revolters.  A  committee  from  congress  visited  the  mu- 
tineers at  Princeton,  with  liberal  assurances,  to  persuade 
them  to  return  to  their  duty  ;  but  General  Washington  sent 
a  strong  force,  and  compelled  them  to  return.  A  general 
arrangement  was  soon  made  to  supply  the  armies,  both 
with  foreign  and  domestic  aid  and  resources. 

On  the  14th  of  May,  information  was  given  to  Wash-* 
ington,  that  Colonel  Greene,  with  his  whole  detachment, 
had  been  cut  off  by  Delancy's  troops,  near  Croton  river, 
about  forty  miles  north  of  New- York.  Colonel  Greene 
had  been  wounded  and  captured,  and  was  afterwards  mur- 
dered, and  Major  Flagg  was  killed  in  his  quarters. 

About  this  period,  General  Washington  wrote  to  the 
governors  of  the  northern  states  : 

"  On  the  calculations  I  have  been  able  to  form  in  con- 
cert with  the  most  experienced  French  and  American  offi- 
cers, the  operations  in  view,  will  require,  in  addition  to 
the  French  army,  all  the  continental  battalions  from  New- 
Hampshire  to  New-Jersey,  to  be  completed."  He  after- 
wards added,  "  As  we  cannot  count  upon  their  being  full, 
and  as  a  body  of  militia  will  also  be  necessary,  I  have 
called  upon  several  states  to  hold  certain  numbers  in 
readiness,  to  move  within  one  week  of  the  time  I  may 
require  them." 

These  despatches  were  intercepted,  and  gave  consider 
able  alarm  to  Sir  Henry,  who  renewed  his  exertions  for 
the  defence  of  the  city. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  a  junction  was  effected  before  New- 
York,  between  General  Washington,  and  a  body  of  fif- 
teen hundred  French  troops  lately  arrived  in  Boston. 

On  the  21st,  General  Washington  wrote  to  the  French 
admiral  at  Newport,  as  follows :  "  I  hope  there  will  be 
no  occasion  for  a  movement  to  the  southward,  for  th* 

19* 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

want  of  force  to  act  against  New-York,  as  I  flattered  my- 
self that  the  glory  of  destroying  the  British  squadron  at 
New-York,  is  reserved  for  the  king's  fleet  under  your 
command,  and  that  of  the  land  forces,  at  the  same  place, 
for  the  allied  armies." 

On  the  evening  of  the  18th,  precisely  at  eight  o'clock, 
the  allied  armies  commenced  a  grand  movement,  and 
marched  from  their  encampments  down  to  New- York,  and 
at  four  the  next  morning,  they  were  drawn  up  in  order 
of  battle,  while  General  Washington  and  Count  Rocham- 
beau,  with  all  the  general  officers  and  engineers,  recon- 
noitered  the  enemy's  works  throughout  their  whole  line. 
The  next  day  they  renewed  their  reconnoitering,  and,  in 
the  afternoon,  drew  off  their  troops  and  returned  to  their 
encampments. 

These  movements,  together  with  the  removal  of  the 
heavy  cannon  and  mortars,  left  at  Boston  in  1776,  across 
the  country  to  North  River,  and  down  to  the  army  before 
New- York ;  as  well  as  the  intercepted  correspondence, 
confirmed  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  his  fears,  and  led  him  to 
withdraw  a  very  considerable  force  from  Lord  Cornwallis, 
for  the  defence  of  New- York. 

At  this  eventful  moment,  Count  de  Grasse  announced 
his  arrival  in  the  Chesapeake  bay,  with  a  fleet  of  twenty- 
four  ships  of  the  line,  frigates,  &c.  The  allied  comman- 
ders forwarded  assurances  that  they  would  put  their  troops 
in  immediate  motion,  to  co-operate  with  him. 

Count  de  Grasse  landed  3,300  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Marquis  de  St.  Simon,  to  reinforce  the  Mar- 
quis la  Fayette. 

Monsieur  de  Barras,  at  the  same  time,  sailed  from 
Newport  with  the  French  squadron,  to  join  Count  de 
Grasse. 

General  Washington  committed  the  command  of  the 
forces  before  New-York  to  General  Heath,  and  put  him- 
self at  the  head  of  the  allied  armies,  and  by  a  rapid  move- 
ment, marched  to  Philadelphia,  and  thence  to  the  head  of 
the  River  Elk. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  the  mean  time,  despatched  Ad- 
miral Graves  in  quest  of  Count  de  Grasse.  On  the  5th  of 
September,  he  discovered  the  French  fleet  in  Lynnhaven 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  223 

Bay.  At  sight  of  the  English  fleet,  Count  cle  Grasse  slip- 
ped his  cables,  and  put  to  sea,  and  at  4  o'clock  an  action 
commenced.  The  French  were  victorious,  and  regained 
the  bay ;  but  the  English  retired  to  New-York  to  repair. 

At  this  eventful  moment,  De  Barras  entered  the  bay 
and  joined  De  Grasse,  who  sent  up  their  transports  to 
convey  the  allied  armies  down  the  bay.  The  allied  com- 
manders, at  the  same  time,  held  an  interview  with  the 
Count  de  Grasse,  on  board  the  Ville  de  Paris,  to  settle  the 
plan  of  operations. 

The  allied  armies,  amounting  to  twelve  thousand  men, 
formed  a  junction  with  the  Marquis,  while  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  fortified  himself  at  Yorktown,  in  Virginia.  The 
militia  of  Virginia  took  the  field  under  Governor  Nelson, 
and  the  movement  seemed  to  portend  some  important  re- 
sults. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  General  Washington  issued 
the  following  orders.  "  If  the  enemy  should  be  tempted 
to  meet  the  army  on  its  march,  the  general  particularly 
enjoins  it  upon  the  troops  to  place  their  principal  reliance 
upon  the  bayonet,  that  they  may  prove  the  vanity  of  that 
boast  which  the  British  make,  of  their  peculiar  prowess 
in  deciding  battles  with  that  weapon." 

The  next  morning,  the  whole  army  encamped  about  a 
mile  from  Yorktown,  and  lay  on  their  arms  through  the 
next  night.  At  the  earnest  solicitations  of  the  command- 
er in  chief  and  the  marquis,  Count  de  Grasse  moved  with 
his  fleet  up  to  the  mouth  of  York  River,  and  closely  invest- 
ed Cornwallis. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  the  trenches  of  the  allies  were 
opened  upon  his  lordship,  at  the  distance  of  600  yards. 
On  the  9th,  the  American  line  began  to  play  upon  York- 
town,  with  twenty-four  eighteen  and  ten  inch  mortars, 
which  continued  through  the  night.  The  next  morning, 
"tk?  French  opened  a  destructive  fire  from  their  batteries, 
witnXU  intermission,  for  about  eight  hours  ;  and  on  the 
succeeVng  night,  a  terrible  fire  was  kept  up  from  the 
whole  line,  without  intermission,  until  morning.  The 
horrors  of  this  scene  were  greatly  heightened  by  the  con- 
flagration of  two  British  ships,  set  on  fire  by  the  shells  of 
the  allies,  and  consumed  in  the  night.  The  next  morn- 


224  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ing,  October  llth,  the  allies  opened  their  second  parallel, 
at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards,  and  another  British 
ship  was  consumed  by  their  shells. 

On  the  14th,  General  Washington  ordered  two  batta- 
lions to  advance  to  the  second  parallel,  and  begin  a  large 
battery  in  the  centre,  and  in  advance.  The  enemy  met 
this  movement  with  an  incessant  fire  from  two  redoubts, 
n  advance  of  their  works,  as  well  as  from  their  whole 
line,  that  continued  through  the  night. 

General  Washington  detached  the  Marquis  La  Fayette 
in  the  morning,  at  the  head  of  the  American  light  infan- 
try, supported  by  the  Baron  Viominel,  from  the  line  of 
the  French,  to  advance  and  storm  these  redoubts,  which 
had  so  annoyed  them  through  the  night.  Lieut.  Col.  Ha- 
milton commanded  the  van  of  the  corps  of  the  Marquis 
La  Fayette.  The  redoubt  was  promptly  carried  by  La 
Fayette,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  but  the  captives 
were  spared.  The  Marquis  sent  his  aid,  Major  Barbour, 
through  the  whole  line  of  the  enemy's  fire,  to  notify  the 
Baron  Viominel  of  his  success,  and  inquire  where  he  was, 
to  which  the  Baron  replied,  "  I  am  not  in  my  redoubt, 
but  shall  be  in  five  minutes ;"  in  five  minutes  his  redoubt 
was  carried. 

General  Washington  was  highly  gratified  with  the  suc- 
cesa.of  this  exploit,  and  commended  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers engaged  in  it,  in  the  highest  terms,  in  the  following 
general  orders : 

"  The  Marquis  La  Fayette's  division  will  mount  the 
trenches  to-morrow.  The  commander  in  chief  congratu- 
lates the  allied  army  on  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  last 
evening,  against  the  two  important  redoubts  on  the  left  of 
the  enemy's  works.  He  requests  the  Baron  Viominel, 
who  commanded  the  French  grenadiers,  and  the  Marquis 
La  Fayette,  who  commanded  the  American  light  infantry, 
to  accept  his  warmest  acknowledgments  for  the  excel- 
lence of  their  dispositions,  and  for  their  own  gallant  con- 
duct on  the  occasion.  And  he  begs  them  to  present  his 
thanks  to  every  individual  officer,  and  to  the  men  of  their 
respective  commands,  for  the  spirit  and  rapidity  with 
which  they  advanced  to  the  points  of  attack  assigned 
them*  and  for  the  admirable  firmness  with  which  they 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  225 

supported  them,  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  without  re- 
turning a  shot.  The  general  reflects,  with  the  highest 
pleasure,  on  the  confidence  which  the  troops  of  the  two 
nations  must  hereafter  have  in  each  other ;  assured  of 
mutual  support,  he  is  convinced  there  is  no  danger  which 
they  will  not  cheerfully  encounter,  no  difficulty  which 
they  will  not  bravely  overcome." 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  his  lordship  detached  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Abercrombie,  at  the  head  of  four  hundred 
men,  upon  a  sortie,  to  destroy  two  batteries  the  allies  had 
erected  in  the  night ;  the  enterprise  succeeded,  and  he 
spiked  the  cannon.  The  French  suffered  severely  in  the 
defence  of  these  works ;  but  the  British  gained  no  per- 
manent advantage.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day, 
the  allies  opened  their  batteries,  covered  with  about  one 
hundred  pieces  of  heavy  cannon,  and  such  was  their  de- 
structive fire,  that  the  British  lines  were  soon  demolished 
and  silenced.  Alarmed  for  his  safety,  his  lordship  now 
began  to  prepare  to  retire ;  his  boats  were  collected,  and 
a  part  of  his  army  was  embarked  across  to  Gloucester 
Point,  opposite  to  Yorktown,  then  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Tarleton ;  but  a  violent  storm  sud- 
denly arose,  which  defeated  the  plan,  and  it  was  with  the 
greatest  difficulty  that  his  lordship  could  recover  his 
boats,  and  restore  the  division. 

His  lordship  now  seeing  that  all  hope  of  succour  or 
escape  was  vain,  and  that  there  was  no  alternative,  to 
avoid  the  tremendous  fire  of  the  allies,  but  submission, 
requested  a  parley  on  the  18th,  for  twenty-four  hours, 
and  that  commissioners  might  be  appointed  to  arrange 
articles  of  capitulation.  General  Washington  consented, 
and  commissioners  were  appointed  accordingly.*  On 
the  19th  the  articles  were  signed,  and  his  lordship,  with 
the  whole  British  army,  marched  out,  prisoners  of  war 
The  ships  were  the  conquest  of  France.  The  same  terms 
were  prescribed  by  the  commissioners  to  Lord  Cornwallis, 
that  had  been  prescribed  to  General  Lincoln  at  Charles- 

*  The  commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  allies  were  the  Viscount  de 
Noailles,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Laurens,  whose  father  had  been  sent 
out  by  congress,  as  minister  to  the  court  of  Versailles,  and  who  wag 
captured  on  his  passage  by  the  British,  and  confined  in  the  tower  of 
London,  where  he  then  remained  in  close  confinement. 


226  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ton,  just  eighteen  months  before;  he  was  refused  the 
honours  of  war,  and  General  Lincoln  was  deputed  to  re- 
ceive the  sword  of  his  lordship.  Thus  the  mission  of  the 
Marquis  La  Fayette  to  France,  in  the  winter  of  1779 — 
1780,  was  consummated  by  the  fall  of  the  hero  of  the 
south,  at  Yorktown. 

The  noble  generosity  of  the  French  officers  to  those  of 
he  British,  after  the  capitulation,  called  forth  the  follow- 
ing acknowledgment  of  his  lordship  : 

"  The  deliberate  sensibility  of  the  officers  of  his  most 
Christian  majesty  towards  our  situation,  their  generous 
and  pressing  offers  of  money,  both  public  and  private,  to 
any  amount,  has  really  gone  beyond  what  I  can  possibly 
describe." 

Lord  Cornwallis  pressed  hard  for  permission  to  em- 
bark the  British  and  German  troops  to  Europe,  under 
suitable  engagements,  not  to  serve  during  the  war ;  also, 
that  the  tories  might  be  protected ;  but  both  were  refused. 
His  lordship  was,  however,  indulged  with  the  permission, 
that  the  Bonetta  sloop  of  war  might  pass  unsearched ; 
and  many  of  the  most  obnoxious  tories  escaped  from  the 
rage  of  their  injured  and  insulted  countrymen. 

Seven  thousand  troops  under  the  command  of  Earl 
Cornwallis,  with  1500  seamen,  were  the  subjects  of  this 
convention;  together  with  one  frigate  of  twenty-four 
guns,  besides  transports,  (twenty  of  which  had  been  sunk 
or  otherwise  destroyed,)  seventy-five  brass,  and  sixty-nine 
iron  ordnance,  howitzers  and  mortars.  Also  a  military 
chest  containing  2,113/.  6s.  sterling,  which,  trifling  as  it 
was,  could  not  fail  to  be  acceptable  to  the  army. 

His  excellency,  General  Washington,  closed  this  glori- 
ous scene  at  Yorktown,  by  publishing  to  the  army,  both 
officers  and  soldiers,  in  general  orders,  the  grateful  effu- 
sions of  his  heart,  and  ordered  the  whole  to  be  assembled 
in  divisions  and  brigades,  to  attend  to  divine  service,  and 
render  thanks  to  that  God  who  had  given  them  the  victory. 

Congress  received  the  letter  of  General  Washington 
on  the  24th,  announcing  the  capture  of  the  British  army, 
with  the  most  cordial  satisfaction,  and  immediately  re- 
solved to  move  in  procession  at  2  o'clock,  to  the  Luthe- 
ran church,  and  return  thanks  to  Almighty  God,  for 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  227 

crowning  with  success  the  allied  arms  of  America  and 
Prance.  Congress  next  resolved,  that  a  proclamation  be 
issued  for  the  religious  observance  of  the  13th  of  De- 
cember, then  next,  as  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving  and 
prayer,  throughout  the  United  States. 

Thus  joy,  gratitude,  and  praise  to  God  were  united,  and 
became  universal,  and  swelled  with  transports  every  pa- 
triotic breast,  throughout  United  America. 

Congress  resolved  on  the  29th,  "  That  thanks  be  pre- 
sented to  General  Washington,  Count  de~  Rochambeau, 
Count  de  Grasse,  and  the  officers  of  the  different  corps, 
and  the  men  under  their  command,  for  their  services,  in 
the  reduction  of  Lord  Cornwallis." 

They  next  resolved,  "  That  a  marble  column  be  erect- 
ed at  Yorktown,  adorned  with  emblems  commemorative 
of  the  alliance  between  the  United  States  and  his  most 
Christian  Majesty,  and  inscribed  writh  a  succinct  account 
of  the  surrender  of  the  British  army." 

Congress  next  resolved,  "  That  two  stands  of  colours 
be  presented  to  General  Washington,  and  two  pieces  of 
ordnance  be  by  him  presented  to  Count  de  Rochambeau, 
as  trophies  of  their  illustrious  victory;  and  that  the 
Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  be  requested  to  inform  his  most 
Christian  Majesty,  that  it  was  the  wish  of  Congress  that 
Count  de  Grasse  might  be  permitted  to  accept  the  same 
testimonials  with  the  Count  de  Rochambeau. 

General  Rochambeau,  with  his  army,  took  up  his  win- 
ter quarters  in  Virginia ;  but  the  troops  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Marquis  de  St.  Simon  were  embarked  for 
the  West  Indies,  and  the  American  troops  returned  to 
their  former  stations,  excepting  such  cavalry  and  infantry 
as  were  necessary  to  the  service  of  General  Greene  ;  these 
were  sent  forward  in  November,  under  the  command  of 
General  St.  Clair,  toco-operate  in  the  southern  war. 

The  French  fleet,  under  the  Countxde  Grasse,  sailed  at 
the  same  time  for  the  West  Indies,  and  the  operations  of 
the_season  were  generally  closed. 

His  excellency,  General  Washington,  retired  to  Phila- 
delphia, to  give  repose  to  his  mind,  as  well  as  to  confer 
with  Congress  upon  the  future  exigencies  of  the  nation. 

One   universal  expression   of  gratitude  and   applause 


228  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

burst  forth  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  to  the  allied  he- 
roes who  fought  under  Washington,  and  triumphed  over 
Britain.  Ministers  at  the  altar,  of  all  denominations, 
caught  the  sacred  flame,  and  the  temples  of  Almighty 
God  resounded  with  gratitude  and  praise  to  his  great  name 
throughout  United  America. 

This  signal  and  decisive  victory  over  Cornwallis, 
blasted  the  hope  of  the  British  government  as  regarded 
the  subjection  of  the  revolted  colonies  to  their  former 
allegiance.  During  nearly  three  months  after  the  12th 
of  December,  1781,  motions  were  frequently  made  in 
parliament  for  closing  hostile  operations  against  this 
country.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1782,  the  commons  re- 
solved, "  That  the  house  would  consider  as  enemies  to 
his  majesty  and  to  the  country,  all  those  who  should  ad- 
vise or  attempt  the  further  prosecution  of  offensive  war 
on  the  continent  of  North  America."  As  one  earnest  of 
the  sincerity  of  this  resolution,  the  command  of  the  Bri- 
tish forces  was  taken  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  given 
to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  was  directed  to  advance  the 
wishes  of  the  British  government,  for  an  accommodation 
with  the  United  States. 

Agreeable  to  his  instructions,  Sir  Guy  proposed  a  cor- 
respondence with  congress,  and  solicited  of  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  a  passport  for  his  secretary.  This  was 
however  refused,  as  the  United  States  had  stipulated  not 
to  negotiate  without  the  consent  of  the  French  govern- 
ment. 

As  soon  as  information  of  the  capture  of  Cornwallis 
was  received  at  the  French  court,  the  government  pro- 
posed to  congress  the  immediate  appointment  of  com- 
missioners to  treat  of  peace.  John  Adams,  Benjamin 
Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry  Laurens,  were  according- 
ly chosen.  These  were  met  by  Mr.  Fitzherbert,  and  Mr. 
Oswald,  at  Paris,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain.  Provi- 
sional articles  were  signed  on  the  30th  of  November, 
1782,  and  the  definitive  treaty  was  concluded  in  Septem- 
ber following. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  General  Washington  announced 
the  cessation  of  hostilities  between  the  two  countries,  in 
the  following  general  orders : 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  229 

"The  Commander  in  Chief  orders  the  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, between  the  United  States  of  America  and  the 
King  of  Great  Britain,  to  be  publicly  proclaimed  to-mor- 
ro.v  at  twelve  o'clock,  at  the  New  Building;  and  the  pro- 
clamation which  will  be  communicated  herewith,  be  read 
to-morrow  evening,  at  the  head  of  every  regiment  and 
corps  of  the  army ;  after  which,  the  chaplains,  with  the 
several  brigades,  will  render  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for 
all  his  mercies,  particularly  for  his  overruling  the  wrath 
of  man  to  his  own  glory,  and  causing  the  rage  of  war  to 
cease  among  the  nations. 

"  The  Commander  in  Chief,  far  from  endeavouring  to 
stifle  the  feeling  of  joy  in  his  own  bosom,  ofiers  his  most 
cordial  congratulations  on  the  occasion,  to  all  the  officers 
of  every  denomination — to  all  the  troops  of  the  United 
States  in  general,  and  in  particular  to  those  gallant  and 
persevering  men,  who  had  resolved  to  defend  the  rights 
of  their  invaded  country  so  long  as  the  war  should  con- 
tinue ;  for  these  are  the  men  who  ought  to  be  considered 
as  the  pride  and  boast  of  the  American  army,  and  who, 
crowned  with  well-earned  laurels,  may  soon  withdraw 
from  the  field  of  glory,  to  the  more  tranquil  walks  of  civil 
life. 

"  While  the  General  recollects  the  almost  infinite  va- 
riety of  scenes  through  which  we  have  passed  with  a  mix- 
ture of  pleasure,  astonishment,  and  gratitude — while  he 
contemplates  the  prospects  before  us  with  rapture, — he 
cannot  help  wishing  that  all  the  brave  men,  of  whatever 
condition  they  may  be,  who  have  shared  in  the  toils  and 
dangers  of  effecting  this  glorious  revolution,  of  rescuing 
millions  from  the  hand  of  oppression,  and  of  laying  the 
foundation  of  a  great  empire,  might  be  impressed  with  a 
proper  idea  of  the  dignified  part  they  have  been  called  to 
act,  under  the  smiles  of  Providence,  on  the  stage  of  hu 
man  affairs ;  for  happy,  thrice  happy,  shall  they  be  pro- 
nounced hereafter,  who  have  contributed  any  thing,  who 
have  performed  the  meanest  office  in  erecting  this  stu- 
pendous fabric  of  Freedom  and  Empire,  on  the  broad 
basis  of  independency ;  who  have  assisted  in  protecting 
the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  establishing  an  asylum  for 
the  poor  and  oppressed  of  all  nations  and  religions. 
20 


230  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

"  The  glorious  task  for  which  we  first  flew  to  arms, 
being  thus  accomplished,  the  liberties  of  our  country  being 
fully  acknowledged  and  firmly  secured,  by  the  smiles  of 
Heaven  on  the  purity  of  our  cause,  and  the  honest  exer- 
tions of  a  feeble  people,  determined  to  be  free,  against  a 
powerful  nation  disposed  to  oppress  them  ;  and  the  cha- 
racter of  those  who  have  persevered  through  every  ex- 
tremity of  hardship,  suffering;  and  danger,  being  immor- 
talized by  the  illustrious  appellation  of  the  Patriot  Army, 
— nothing  now  remains  but  for  the  actors  of  this  mighty 
scene  to  preserve  a  perfect,  unvarying  consistency  of  cha- 
racter through  the  very  last  act ;  to  close  the  drama  with 
applause ;  and  to  retire  from  the  military  theatre  with  the 
same  approbation  of  angels  and  men,  which  have  crowned 
all  their  former  virtuous  actions. 

"  For  this  purpose,  no  disorder  or  licentiousness  must 
be  tolerated ;  every  considerate  and  well  disposed  sol- 
dier must  remember  it  will  be  absolutely  necessary  to 
wait  with  patience,  till  peace  shall  be  declared,  or  con- 
gress shall  be  enabled  to  take  proper  measures  for  the 
security  of  the  public  stores,  &c.  So  soon  as  these  ar- 
rangements shall  be  made,  the  general  is  confident  there 
will  be  no  delay  in  discharging,  with  every  mark  of  dis- 
tinction and  honour,  all  the  men  enlisted  for  the  war,  who 
will  then  have  faithfully  performed  their  engagements 
with  the  public.  The  general  has  already  interested  him- 
self in  their  behalf,  and  he  thinks  he  need  not  repeat  the 
assurances  of  his  disposition  to  be  useful  to  them  on  the 
present,  and  every  other  proper  occasion.  In  the  mean 
time,  he  is  determined  that  no  military  neglects  or  ex- 
cesses shall  go  unpunished,  while  he  retains  the  command 
of  the  army. 

"  The  adjutant-general  will  have  such  working  parties 
detailed  to  assist  in  making  the  preparation  for  a  general 
rejoicing,  as  the  chief  engineer,  with  the  army,  shall  call 
for,  and  the  quarter-master-general  will  also  furnish  such 
materials  as  he  may  want.  The  quarter-master-general 
will,  without  delay,  procure  such  a  number  of  discharges 
to  be  printed  as  will  be  sufficient  for  all  the  men  enlisted 
for  the  war ;  he  will  please  to  apply  at  head-quarters  for 
the  form.  An  extra  ration  of  liquor  to  be  issued  to  every 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  231 

man  to-morrow,  to  drink  perpetual  peace,  independence, 
and  happiness,  to  the  United  States  of  America" 

It  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  that  these  general  orders 
of  the  commander-in-chief  were  read  to  the  army,  just 
eight  years  from  the  battle  of  Lexington.  The  farewell 
orders  of  the  general  were  issued  to  the  army  on  the  2d 
of  November,  from  which  the  following  is  a  selection. 

"  A  contemplation  of  the  complete  attainment,  at  a 
period  earlier  than  could  have  been  expected,  of  the  ob- 
ject for  which  we  contended,  against  so  formidable  a 
power,  cannot  but  inspire  us  with  astonishment  and  gra- 
titude. The  disadvantageous  circumstances  on  our  part, 
under  which  the  war  was  undertaken,  can  never  be  for- 
gotten. The  signal  interpositions  of  Providence,  in  our 
feeble  condition,  were  such  as  could  scarcely  escape  the 
attention  of  the  most  unobserving,  while  the  unparalleled 
perseverance  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  through 
almost  every  possible  suffering  and  discouragements  for 
the  space  of  eight  long  years,  was  little  short  of  a  stand- 
ing miracle."  His  closing  words  are,  "  and  being  now 
to  conclude  these  his  last  public  orders,  to  take  his  ulti- 
mate leave,  in  a  snort  time,  of  the  military  character,  and 
to  bid  adieu  to  the  armies  he  has  so  long  had  the  honour 
to  command,  he  can  only  again  offer  in  their  behalf  his 
recommendations  to  their  grateful  country,  and  his  prayers 
lo  the  God  of  armies.  May  ample  justice  be  done  them 
here,  and  may  the  choicest  of  Heaven's  favours,  both 
here  and  hereafter,  attend  those  who,  under  the  divine 
auspices,  have  secured  innumerable  blessings  for  others  ! 
With  these  wishes,  and  this  benediction,  the  Commander 
in  Chief  is  about  to  retire  from  service.  The  curtain  of 
separation  will  soon  be  drawn,  and  the  military  scene  to 
him  will  be  for  ever  closed." 

The  army  was  now  disbanded  by  the  proclamation  01 
congress,  of  which  Dr.  Thatcher  gives  the  following 
sketch,  with  the  parting  scene  between  General  Washing- 
ton and  his  officers. 

"  Painful,  indeed,  was  the  parting  scene  ;  no  descrip 
tion  can  be  adequate  to  the  tragic  exhibition.  Both  offi 
cers  and  soldiers,  long  unaccustomed  to  the  affairs  of  pri- 
vate life,  turned  loose  on  the  world  to  starve,  and  to  be- 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

come  a  prey  to  vulture  speculators.  Never  can  that  me- 
lancholy day  be  forgotten,  when  friends,  companions  for 
seven  long  years  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  were  torn  asun- 
der, without  the  hope  of  ever  meeting  again,  and  with 
prospects  of  a  miserable  subsistence  in  future. 

"  Among  other  incidents  peculiarly  affecting  on  this  oc- 
casion, were  the  lamentations  of  women  and  children, 
arnestly  entreating  that  those  with  whom  they  had  been 
connected  in  the  character  of  husband  and  father,  would 
not  withdraw  from  them  the  hand  of  kindness  and  pro- 
tection, and  leave  them  in  despair ;  but,  in  several  in- 
stances, the  reply  was,  l  no,  we  took  you  as  companions 
during  the  war,  and  now  we  are  destitute  of  the  means 
of  support,  and  you  must  provide  for  yourselves.' 

"  November  2&th. — The  British  army  evacuated  New- 
York,  and  the  American  troops  under  General  Knox 
took  possession  of  the  city.  Soon  after,  General  Wash- 
ington, and  Governor  Clinton,  with  their  suite,  made 
their  public  entry  into  the  city  on  horseback,  followed  by 
the  lieutenant  governor,  and  the  members  of  council,  for 
the  temporary  government  of  the  southern  district,  four 
abreast.  General  Knox,  and  the  officers  of  the  army, 
eight  abreast ;  citizens  on  horseback,  eight  abreast — the 
speaker  of  the  assembly,  and  the  citizens  on  foot,  eight 
abreast.  The  governor  gave  a  public  dinner,  at  which 
the  commander  in  chief,  and  other  general  officers,  were 
present.  The  arrangements  for  the  whole  business  were 
so  well  made  and  executed,  that  the  most  admirable  tran- 
quillity succeeded  through  the  day  and  night.  On  Mon- 
day the  government  gave  an  elegant  entertainment  to  the 
French  ambassador,  the  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne  ;  Gene- 
ral Washington,  the  principal  officers  of  New-York  stale, 
and  of  the  army,  and  upwards  of  a  hundred  gentlemen, 
were  present.  Magnificent  fireworks,  infinitely  exceed- 
ing every  thing  of  the  kind  before  seen  in  the  United 
States,  were  exhibited  at  the  Bowling  Green  in  Broad- 
way, on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  in  celebration  of  the 
definitive  treaty  of  peace.  They  commenced  by  a  dove 
descending  with  the  olive  branch,  and  setting  fire  to  a 
marron  battery. 

On  Tuesday  noon,  December  4th,  the  principal  officers 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  233 

of  the  army  assembled  at  Francis'  tavern,  to  take  a  final 
leave  of  their  much  loved  commander  in  chief.  Soon 
after  his  excellency  entered  the  room.  His  emotions 
were  too  strong  to  be  concealed.  Filling  a  glass,  he  turned 
to  them  and  said,  '  With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude, 
I  now  take  leave  of  you.  I  most  devoutly  wish  that  your 
latter  days  may  be  as  prosperous  and  happy  as  your  for- 
mer ones  have  been  glorious  and  honourable.'  Having 
drank,  he  added,  '  I  cannot  come  to  each  of  you  to  take 
my  leave,  but  shall  be  obliged  to  you,  if  each  of  you  will 
come  and  take  me  by  the  hand.'  General  Knox  being 
nearest,  turned  to  him.  Incapable  of  utterance,  Wash- 
ington, in  tears,  grasped  his  hand,  embraced  and  kissed 
him.  In  the  same  affectionate  manner  he  took  leave  of 
each  succeeding  officer.  In  every  eye  was  the  tear  of  dig- 
nified sensibility,  and  not  a  word  was  articulated  to  inter- 
rupt the  eloquent  silence  and  tenderness  of  the  scene. 

Leaving  the  room,  he  passed  through  the  corps  of  light 
infantry,  and  walked  to  White  Hall,  where  a  barge  waited 
to  convey  him  to  Paulus'  Hook.  The  whole  company 
followed  in  mute  and  solemn  procession,  with  dejected 
countenances,  testifying  feelings  of  delicious  melancholy, 
which  no  language  can  describe.  Having  entered  the 
barge,  he  turned  to  me  company,  and,  waving  his  hat, 
bade  them  a  silent  adieu.  They  paid  him  the  same  affec- 
tionate compliment,  and,  after  the  barge  had  left  them,  re- 
turned in  the  same  solemn  manner  to  the  place  where  they 
had  assembled.  The  passions  of  human  nature  were 
never  more  tenderly  agitated  than  in  this  interesting  and 
distressful  scene." 

Congress  was  now  in  session  at  Annapolis,  to  whom, 
on  the  23d  of  December,  the  commander  in  chief  resign- 
ed his  .commission.  "  The  governor,  council,  and  legis 
lature  of  Maryland,  several  general  officers,  the  Consu* 
General  of  France,  and  numerous  citizens  of  Annapolis 
were  present.  Congress  were  seated,  and  covered,  as  re- 
presentatives of  the  sovereignty  of  the  union ;  the  spec- 
tators were  uncovered,  and  standing.  The  general  was 
introduced  to  a  chair  by  the  secretary,  who,  after  a 
decent  interval,  ordered  silence.  A  short  pause  ensued, 
20* 


234  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

when  the  honourable  Thomas  Mifflin,  the  president,  in- 
formed the  general,  that  "  the  United  States,  in  congress 
assembled,  were  prepared  to  receive  his  communications." 
On  which  he  rose,  with  dignity,  and  delivered  this  ad- 
dress : 

"  Mr.  President — The  great  events  on  which  my  resig- 
nation depended,  having  at  length  taken  place,  I  now  have 
the  honour  of  offering  my  sincere  congratulation  to  con- 
gress, and  of  presenting  myself  before  them,  to  surrender 
into  their  hands  the  trust  committed  to  me,  and  to  claim 
the  indulgence  of  retiring  from  the  service  of  my  country. 

"  Happy  in  the  confirmation  of  our  independence  and 
sovereignty,  and  pleased  with  the  opportunity  afforded 
the  United  States,  of  becoming  a  respectable  nation,  I 
resign  with  satisfaction  the  appointment  I  accepted  with 
diffidence ;  a  diffidence  in  my  abilities  to  accomplish  so 
arduous  a  task,  which,  however,  was  superseded  by  a 
confidence  in  the  rectitude  of  our  cause,  the  support  of 
the  supreme  power  of  the  union,  and  the  patronage  ot 
Heaven. 

"The  successful  termination  of  the  war  has  verified  the 
most  sanguine  expectations, — my  gratitude  for  the  inter- 
positions of  Providence,  and  the  assistance  I  have  received 
from  my  countrymen,  increase  with  every  review  of  the 
momentous  contest. 

"  While  I  respect  my  obligations  to  the  army  in  gene- 
ral, I  should  do  injustice  to  my  own  feelings,  not  to  ac- 
knowledge in  this  place,  the  peculiar  services  and  distin- 
guished merits  of  the  persons  who  have  been  attached  to 
my  person  during  the  war.  It  was  impossible  the  choice 
of  confidential  officers,  to  compose  my  family,  should 
have  been  more  fortunate.  Permit  me,  Sir,  to  recommend 
in  particular,  those  who  have  continued  in  the  services  to 
the  present  moment,  as  worthy  of  the  favourable*  notice 
and  patronage  of  congress.  I  consider  it  as  an  indispen- 
sable duty  to  close  this  last  solemn  act  of  my  official  life, 
by  commending  the  interests  of  our  country,  to  the  pro- 
tection of  Almighty  God,  and  those  who  have  the  super- 
intendence of  them  to  his  holy  keeping. 

"Having  now  finished  the  work  assigned  me,  I  retire 
from  the  great  theatre  of  action  ;  and  bidding  an  affec- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  235 

donate  farewell  to  this  august  body,  under  whose  orders 
I  have  long  acted,  I  here  offer  my  commission,  and  take 
my  leave  of  all  the  employments  of  public  life." 

When  accepting  his  commission,  congress,  through 
their  president,  expressed  in  glowing  language  to  Wash- 
ington, their  high  sense  of  his  wisdom  and  energy,  in  con- 
ducting the  war  to  so  happy  a  termination,  and  invoking 
the  choicest  blessings  upon  his  future  life. 

President  Mifflin  concluded  as  follows  :  "  Wre  join  you 
in  commending  the  interest  of  our  country  to  the  protec- 
tion of  Almighty  God,  beseeching  Him  to  dispose  the 
hearts  and  minds  of  its  citizens  to  improve  the  opportu- 
nity afforded  them  of  becoming  a  happy  nation.  And 
our  prayers  for  you,  sir,  that  your  days  may  be  happy, 
and  He  will  finally  give  you  that  reward  which  this  world 
cannot  give." 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

Of  the  Confederation.     Formation  and  adoption  of  the 
present  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

ON  the  12th  of  July,  1777,  articles  of  confederation  and 
perpetual  union  were  drawn  up  by  congress,  and  ratified 
Ijy  twelve  of  the  states  in  the  December  following.  This 
instrument  was  so  imperfect  as  to  be  termed  by  some  "  a 
rope  of  sand."  Brittle  as  it  was,  however,  it  carried  the 
people  through  a  perilous  war,  and  what  it  lacked  in  ener- 
gy, was  supplied  by  the  spirit  of  the  times.  But  when 
The  olive  branch  of  peace  succeeded  to  the  clarion  of  war 
and  the  din  of  arms — when  private  interest  took  prece 
dence  of  public  spirit,  and  intrigue  usurped  the  place  of 
national  virtue,  the  wants  of  the  country  called  for  a  more 
energetic  compact,  and  the  cause  of  republican  America 
required  a  more  efficient  safeguard. 

To  effect  this  object,  a  convention  was  proposed,  which 
held  its  session  in  Philadelphia.  In  this  august  body  Ge- 
neral Washington  had  a  seat,  and  was  chosen  president. 
On  the  17th  of  September,  1787,  the  finishing  hand  was 


236  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

put  to  the  Constitution,  which  was  submitted  to  the  differ- 
ent states,  and  ratified,  at  first,  but  by  eleven,  North  Caro- 
lina and  Rhode  Island  refusing  their  assent.  The  former 
assented  to  it  in  1789,  and  the  latter  in  1790. 

In  1789,  General  George  Washington  was  elected  first 
president  of  the  United  States. 

It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  he  accepted  this  of- 
fice. His  feelings,  as  he  said  himself,  were  like  those  of 
a  culprit,  going  to  the  place  of  execution.  But  the  voice 
of  a  whole  continent,  the  pressing  recommendation  of 
his  particular  friends,  and  the  apprehension  that  he 
should  otherwise  be  considered  as  unwilling  to  hazard 
his  reputation  in  executing  a  system  which  he  had  as- 
sisted in  forming,  determined  him  to  accept  the  appoint- 
ment. In  April  he  left  Mount  Vernon  to  proceed  to 
New-York,  and-  to  enter  on  the  duties  of  his  high  office. 
He  every  where  received  testimonies  of  respect  and  love. 
At  Trenton,  the  gentler  sex  rewarded  him  for  his  success- 
ful enterprise,  and  the  protection  which  he  afforded  them 
twelve  years  before.  On  the  bridge  over  the  creek, 
which  passes  through  the  town,  was  erected  a  triumphal 
arch,  ornamented  with  laurels  and  flowers,  and  supported 
by  thirteen  pillars,  each  encircled  with  wreaths  of  ever- 
green. On  the  front  of  the  arch  was  inscribed,  in  large 
gilt  letters, 

THE  DEFENDER  OF  THE  MOTHER  WILL  BE  THE  PRO- 
TECTOR OF  THE  DAUGHTERS. 

At  this  place  he  was  met  by  a  party  of  matrons,  leading 
their  daughters,  who  were  dressed  in  white,  and  who, 
with  baskets  of  flowers  in  their  hands,  sung,  with  exqui- 
site sweetness,  the  following  ode,  written  for  the  occa- 
sion : — 

Welcome,  mighty  chief,  once  more 
Welcome  to  this  grateful  shore ; 
Now  no  mercenary  foe 
Aims  again  the  fatal  blow, 
Aims  at  THEE  the  fatal  blow. 

Virgins  fair  and  matrons  grave, 
Those  thy  conq'ring1  anns  did  save. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  237 

Build  for  thf-e  triumphal  bowers ; 
Strew,  ye  fair,  his  way  with  flowers, 
Strew  your  HERO'S  way  with  flowers. 

At  the  last  line,  the  flowers  were  strewed  before  him. 
After  receiving  such  proofs  of  affectionate  attachment,  he 
arrived  at  New-York,  and  was  inaugurated  first  President 
of  the  United  States,  on  the  thirtieth  of  April.  In  ma 
king  the  necessary  arrangements  of  his  household,  he 
publicly  announced,  that  neither  visits  of  business  nor  of 
ceremony  would  be  expected  on  Sunday,  as  he  wished  to 
reserve  that  day  sacredly  to  himself. 

In  an  impressive  address  to  both  houses  of  Congress, 
he  declared,  with  characteristic  modesty,  his  "  incapacity 
for  the  mighty  and  untried  cares  before  him,"  and  offered 
his  "  fervent  supplications  to  that  Almighty  Being  whose 
providential  aid  can  supply  every  human  defect,  that  his 
benediction  would  consecrate  to  the  liberties  and  happi- 
ness of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  a  government 
instituted  by  themselves  for  these  essential  purposes ;  and 
would  enable  every  instrument,  employed  in  its  adminis- 
tration, to  execute,  with  success,  the  functions  allotted  to 
his  charge." 

At  the  close  of  the  revolution,  the  people  anticipated 
independence  and  peace  ;  but  they  were  somewhat  disap- 
pointed ;  debts,  contracted  during  the  war,  bore  heavily 
upon  the  people. 

To  remedy  these  evils,  Congress  applied  to  the  states 
for  a  grant  of  the  power  to  regulate  commerce,  and  to 
collect  a  revenue  from  it.  New-York  alone  refused  ;  but 
as  unanimity  was  requisite,  her  single  negative  defeated 
the  project.  In  the  mean  time  the  distress  increased, 
and  in  Massachusetts,  where  it  wras  the  greatest,  urged  to 
insurrection  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants.  Near  the  close 
of  the  year  1786,  they  assembled  to  the  number  of  two 
thousand,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  state  ;  and 
choosing  Daniel  Shays  for  their  leader,  demanded  that  the 
collection  of  debts  should  be  suspended,  and  that  the  le- 
gislature should  authorise  the  emission  of  paper  money 
for  general  circulation. 

Two  bodies  of  militia,  drawn  from  those  parts  of  the 
state  where  disaffection  did  not  prevail,  were  immediately 


238  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

despatched  against  them,  one  under  the  command  of  Ge- 
neral Lincoln,  and  the  other  of  General  Shepherd.  They 
were  easily  dispersed ;  and  afterwards  abandoning  their 
seditious  purposes,  accepted  the  proffered  indemnity  of 
the  government. 

It  was  a  question  whether  the  general  government 
should  be  supported  or  abandoned,  or  whether  the  object 
of  the  revolution  should  be  realized  or  lost. 

In  May,  1787,  commissioners  were  appointed  and  as- 
sembled at  Philadelphia ;  George  Washington  was  una- 
nimously elected  president.  They  deliberated  with  closed 
doors,  and  happily  it  was  agreed  to  sacrifice  local  interest 
on  the  altar  of  public  good. 

An  abstract  of  this  constitution,  with  its  several  subse- 
quent amendments,  follows  :  it  is  extracted  from  Mr.  Web- 
ster's Elements  of  Useful  Knowledge. 

Of  the  Legislature.  "  The  legislative  power  of  the 
United  States  is  vested  in  a  congress,  consisting  of  two 
houses  or  branches,  a  senate,  and  a  house  of  representa- 
tives. The  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  are 
chosen  once  in  two  years,  by  the  persons  who  are  qualified 
to  vote  for  members  of  the  most  numerous  branches  of 
the  legislature,  in  each  state.  To  be  entitled  to  a  seat  in 
this  house,  a  person  must  have  attained  to  the  age  "of 
twenty-five  years,  been  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  for 
seven  years,  and  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  state  in  which  he 
is  chosen. 

Of  the  Senate.  "  The  senate  consists  of  two  senators 
from  each  state,  chosen  by  the  legislature  for  six  years. 
The  senate  is  divided  into  three  classes,  the  seat  of  one  of 
which  is  vacated  every  second  year.  If  a  vacancy  hap- 
pens during  the  recess  of  the  legislature,  the  executive  of 
the  state  makes  a  temporary  appointment  of  a  senator 
until  the  next  meeting  of  the  legislature.  A  senator  must 
have  attained  to  the  age  of  thirty  years,  been  a  citizen  of 
the  United  States  nine  years,  and  be  an  inhabitant  of  the 
state  for  which  he  is  chosen. 

Of  the  powers  of  the  two  Houses.  "  The  house  of  re- 
presentatives choose  their  own  speaker,  and  other  officers, 
and  have  the  exclusive  power  of  impeaching  public  offi- 
cers, and  originating  bills  for  raising  a  revenue.  The 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  239 

vice-president  of  the  United  States  is  president  of  the 
senate ;  but  the  other  officers  are  chosen  by  the  senate. 
The  senate  tries  all  impeachments ;  each  house  determines 
the  validity  of  the  elections  and  qualifications  of  its  own 
members,  forms  its  own  rules,  and  keeps  a  journal  of  its 
proceedings.  The  members  are  privileged  from  arrest, 
while  attending  on  the  session,  going  to,  or  returning  from 
the  same,  except  for  treason,  felony,  or  breach  of  the 
peace. 

Of  the  powers  of  Congress.  "  The  congress  of  the 
United  States  have  power  to  make  and  enforce  all  laws, 
which  are  necessary  for  the  general  welfare — as  to  lay 
and  collect  taxes,  imposts,  and  excises ;  borrow  money, 
regulate  commerce,  establish  uniform  rules  of  naturaliza- 
tion, coin  money,  establish  post  roads  and  post  offices, 
promote  the  arts  and  sciences,  institute  tribunals  inferior 
to  the  Supreme  Court,  define  and  punish  piracy,  declare 
war  and  make  reprisals,  raise  and  support  armies,  pro- 
vide a  navy,  regulate  the  militia,  and  to  make  all  laws  ne- 
cessary to  carry  these  powers  into  effect. 

Of  Restrictions.  "  No  bill  of  attainder,  or  retrospec- 
tive law,  shall  be  passed ;  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  can- 
not be  suspended  except  in  cases  of  rebellion  or  inva- 
sion ;  no  direct  tax  can  be  laid,  except  according  to  a 
census  of  the  inhabitants ;  no  duty  can  be  laid  on  exports ; 
no  money  can  be  drawn  from  the  treasury,  unless  ap- 
propriated by  law ;  no  title  of  nobility  can  be  granted, 
nor  £an  any  public  officer,  without  the  consent  of  con- 
gress, accept  of  any  present  or  title  from  any  foreign 
prince  or  state.  The  states  are  restrained  from  emitting 
bills  of  credit,  from  making  any  thing  but  gold  or  silver 
a  tender  for  debts,  and  from  passing  any  law  impairing 
private  contracts. 

Of  the  Executive.  "  The  executive  power  of  the  Uni 
ted  States  is  vested  in  a  president,  who  holds  his  office  foj 
four  years.  To  qualify  a  man  for  president,  he  must  have 
been  a  citizen  at  the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  or  must 
be  a  native  of  the  United  States ;  he  must  have  attained 
to  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  and  been  fourteen  years  a 
resident  within  the  United  States.  The  president  and 
vice-president  are  chosen  by  electors  designated  in  such  a 


240  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

manner  as  the  legislature  of  each  state  shall  direct.  The 
numbers  of  electors,  in  each  state,  is  equal  to  the  whole 
number  of  senators  and  representatives. 

Of  the  powers  of  the  President.  "  The  president  of 
the  United  States  is  commander  in  chief  of  the  army  and 
navy,  and  of  the  militia,  when  in  actual  service.  lie 
grants  reprieves  and  pardons  ;  nominates,  and,  with  the 
consent  of  the  senate,  appoints  ambassadors,  judges,  and 
other  officers;  and,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
senate,  forms  treaties,  provided  two  thirds  of  the  senate 
agree.  He  fills  vacancies  in  offices  which  happen  during 
the  recess  of  the  senate.  He  convenes  the  congress  on 
extraordinary  occasions,  receives  foreign  ministers,  gives 
information  to  Congress  of  the  state  of  public  affairs, 
and,  in  general,  takes  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  exe- 
cuted. 

Of  the  Judiciary.  "  The  judiciary  of  the  United  States 
consists  of  one  supreme  court,  and  such  inferior  courts  as 
the  Congress  shall  ordain.  The  judges  are  to  hold  their 
office*  during  good  behaviour,  and  their  salaries  cannot 
be  diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office.  The  ju- 
dicial power  of  these  courts  extends  to  all  cases  in  law 
and  equity,  arising  under  the  constitution  or  laws  of  the 
United  States,  and  under  treaties ;  to  cases  of  public  mi- 
nisters and  consuls  ;  to  all  cases  of  admiralty  and  mari- 
time jurisdiction  ;  to  controversies  between  the  states,  and 
in  which  the  United  States  are  a  party  ;  between  citizens 
of  different  states ;  between  a  state  and  a  citizen  of  an- 
other state,  and  between  citizens  of  the  same  state  claim- 
ing under  grants  of  different  states  ;  and  to  causes  between 
one  of  the  states  or  an  American  citizen,  and  a  foreign 
state  or  citizen. 

Of  Rights  and  Immunities.  "  In  all  criminal  trials, 
except  impeachment,  the  trial  by  jury  is  guaranteed  to  the 
accused.  Treason  is  restricted  to  the  simple  acts  of  le- 
vying war  against  the  United  States,  and  adhering  to  their 
enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort;  and  no  person 
can  be  convicted,  but  by  two  witnesses  to  the  same  act,  or 
by  confession  in  open  court.  A  conviction  of  treason  is 
not  followed  by  a  corruption  of  blood,  to  disinherit  the 
heirs  of  the  criminal,  nor  by  a  forfeiture  of  estate,  except 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  241 

during  the  life  of  the  offender.  The  citizens  of  each 
state  are  entitled  to  all  privileges  and  immunities  of  citi- 
zens in  the  several  states.  Congress  may  admit  ne%v 
states  into  the  Union ;  and  the  national  compact  guaran- 
tees to  each  state  a  republican  form  of  government,  to- 
gether with  protection  from  foreign  invasion  and  domes- 
tic violence. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  in  April,  1789,  General 
Washington  took  the  chair  as  the  first  president  of  the 
United  States,  Messrs.  Jefferson,  Hamilton,  and  General 
Knox,  appointed  secretaries,  and  Edmund  Randolph,  at- 
torney-general. 

The  secretary  of  the  treasury  was  directed  to  prepare 
a  plan  for  the  support  of  public  credit,  and  report  the 
same  at  their  next  meeting. 

After  the  adjournment  of  congress,  the  president  made 
a  tour  through  New-England,  where  he  was  received  by 
the  inhabitants  with  an  affection  bordering  on  adoration. 
People  of  all  classes  crowded  to  behold  the  man  whose 
virtues  and  talents  exalted  him,  in  their  view,  above  the 
heroes  of  ancient  and  modern  times  ;  and  to  present  to 
him  the  undissembled  homage  of  their  grateful  hearts. 
But  to  none  did  his  visit  give  more  exquisite  pleasure  than 
to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  "  patriot  army,"  who 
had  been  his  companions  in  suffering  and  in  victory,  who 
were  endeared  to  him  by  their  bravery  and  fidelity  in 
war,  and  by  the  magnanimity  with  which,  in  peace,  they 
endured  unmerited  neglect  and  poverty. 

At  the  next  session  of  congress,  which  commenced  in 
January,  1790,  Mr.  Hamilton,  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury, made  his  celebrated  report  upon  the  public  debts 
contracted  during  the-  revolutionary  war.  Taking  an 
able  and  enlarged  view  of  the  advantages  of  public  cre- 
dit, he  recommended  that,  not  only  the  debts  of  the  con- 
tinental congress,  but  those  of  the  states,  arising  from 
their  exertions  in  the  common  cause,  should  be  funded 
or  assumed  by  the  general  government ;  and  that  provi- 
sion should  be  made  for  paying  the  interest,  by  imposing 
taxes  on  certain  articles  of  luxury,  and  on  spirits  distilled 
within  the  country. 

Upo«  this  report,  an  animated  debate  took  place.  Its 
21 


242  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

recommendations  were  opposed  by  that  party  who  had 
seen,  or  thought  they  had  seen,  in  the  constitution,  many 
features  hostile  to  freedom,  and  who  remembered  that 
Mr.  Hamilton,  when  a  member  of  the  convention,  had 
proposed  that  the  president  and  senate  should  be  ap- 
pointed to  hold  their  offices  during  good  behaviour.  They 
now  expressed  their  fears,  that  the  assumption  of  these 
debts  would  render  the  government  still  stronger,  by 
drawing  around  it  a  numerous  and  powerful  body  of  pub- 
lic creditors,  who,  in  all  the  contests  with  the  states  or 
the  people,  would  be  bound,  by  the  strongest  of  all  ties, 
that  of  interest,  to  support  it,  whether  right  or  wrong. 
This  party,  existing  principally  in  the  southern  states, 
and  professing  an  ardent  attachment  to  the  equal  rights  of 
man,  took  the  name  of  republican. 

Mr.  Madison  proposed,  that  whenever  the  public  se- 
curities had  been  transferred,  the  highest  price  wnich 
they  had  borne  in  the  market  should  be  paid  to  the  pur- 
chaser, and  the  residue  to  the  original  holder.  After  an 
eloquent  debate,  this  proposition  was  rejected.  The  party 
denominated  federal,  and  existing  principally  in  the  north- 
ern states,  supported  throughout,  with  great  ability  and 
force  of  reasoning,  the  plans  of  the  secretary ;  but  on  tak- 
ing the  vote  in  the  house  of  representatives,  they  were 
rejected  by  a  majority  of  two. 

Afterwards  this  national  measure  was  connected,  as  is 
too  frequently  the  case  in  legislative  bodies,  with  one 
which  had  excited  much  local  feeling.  It  was  understood 
that,  should  the  seat  of  government  be  fixed  for  ten  years 
at  Philadelphia,  and  afterwards  permanently  at  a  place  to 
be  selected  on  the  Potomac,  some  southern  members 
would  withdraw  their  opposition  to  the  funding  system. 
A  law  to  that  effect  was  accordingly  enacted.  The  for- 
mer discussion  was  then  resumed.  The  plans  of  the  se- 
cretary were  adopted  in  the  senate,  and  afterwards  in  the 
house,  two  members  representing  districts  on  the  Potomac 
changing  their  votes.  The  debt  funded  amounted  to  a 
little  more  than  seventy-five  millions  of  dollars  ;  upon  a 
part  of  which  three  per  cent.,  and  upon  the  remainder  six 
per  cent,  interest  was  to  be  paid. 

The  effect  of  this  measure  was  great  and  rapid.     The 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  343 

price  of  the  public  paper,  which  had  fallen  to  twelve  or 
fifteen  cents  on  the  dollar,  suddenly  rose  to  the  sum  ex- 
pressed on  the  face  of  it.  This  difference  was  gained,  in 
most  instances,  by  purchasers  of  the  securities,  who,  feel- 
ing indebted,  for  this  immense  accession  of  wealth,  to  the 
plans  of  the  secretary,  regarded  him  with  enthusiastic  at- 
tachment. But  in  others,  this  wealth,  suddenly  acquired 
without  merit,  excited  envy  and  dissatisfaction.  These 
joined  the  republican  party  ;  who  fancying  they  were  wit- 
nessing the  fulfilment  of  their  prediction,  became  more 
active  in  their  opposition. 

The  recommendation  of  the  secretary  to  impose  addi- 
tional duties,  was  not  acted  upon  until  the  next  session 
of  congress.  Those  on  distilled  spirits  were  proposed  in 
order  to  render  the  burdens  of  the  inhabitants  beyond  the 
Allegany  mountains,  where  no  other  spirits  were  con- 
sumed, equal  to  those  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  sea  coast, 
who  consumed  most  of  the  articles  on  which  an  impost 
duty  was  paid.  In  the  beginning  of  year  1791,  they  were 
laid  as  proposed.  A  national  bank,  recommended  also 
by  the  same  officer,  was  in  the  same  year  incorporated. 
Both  measures  met  a  violent  opposition  from  the  republi- 
can party. 

When  the  new  government  was  first  organized,  but 
eleven  states  had  ratified  the  constitution.  Afterwards, 
North  Carolina  and  Rhode  Island,  the  two  dissenting 
states,  adopted  it;  the  former  in  November,  1789,  the 
latter  in  May,  1790.  In  1791,  Vermont  adopted  it,  and 
applied  to  congress  to  be  admitted  into  the  union.  The 
territory  of  this  state,  situated  between  New-Hampshire 
and  New-York,  was  claimed  by  both,  and  both  had  made 
grants  of  land  within  its  limits. 

In  1777,  the  inhabitants,  refusing  to  submit  to  either, 
declared  themselves  independent.  Although  not  repre- 
sented in  the  continental  congress,  yet,  during  the  war, 
they  embraced  the  cause  of  their  brethren  in  the  other 
states,  and  to  them  their  aid  was  often  rendered,  and  was 
always  efficient.  Agreeably  to  their  request,  an  act  was 
now  passed,  constituting  Vermont  one  of  the  members  of 
the  union.  An  act  was  also  passed,  declaring  that  the 
district  of  Kentucky,  then  a  part  of  Virginia,  should  be 


244  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

admitted  into  the  union  on  the  first  day  of  June,  in  th» 
succeeding  year. 

In  1791,  was  completed  the  first  census  or  enumera- 
tion of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.  They 
amounted  to  3,921,326,  of  which  number  695,655  were 
slaves.  The  revenue,  according  to  the  report  of  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  amounted  to  4,771,000  dollars, 
the  exports  to  about  nineteen,  and  the  imports  to  about 
twenty  millions.  A  great  improvement  in  the  circum- 
stances of  the  people  began  at  this  period  to  be  visible. 
The  establishment  of  a  firm  and  regular  government,  and 
confidence  in  the  men  whom  they  had  chosen  to  adminis- 
ter it,  gave  an  impulse  to  their  exertions,  which  bore  them 
rapidly  forward  in  the  career  of  prosperity. 

In  1790,  a  termination  was  put  to  the  war,  which,  for 
several  years,  had  raged  between  the  Creek  Indians  and 
the  state  of  Georgia.  Pacific  overtures  were  also  made 
to  the  hostile  tribes  inhabiting  the  banks  of  the  Scioto  and 
the  Wabash.  These  being  rejected,  an  army  of  1400 
men,  commanded  by  General  Harmer,  was  despatched 
against  them.  Two  battles  were  fought  near  Chilicothe, 
in  Ohio,  between  successive  detachments  from  this  army, 
and  the  Indians,  in  which  the  latter  were  victorious. 

Emboldened  by  these  successes,  they  made  more  vigo- 
rous attacks  upon  the  frontier  settlements,  which  suffered 
all  the  distressing  calamities  of  an  Indian  war.  Addi- 
tional troops  were  raised,  and  the  command  of  the  whole 
was  given  to  General  St.  Clair.  With  near  2000  men,  he 
marched,  in  October,  into  the  wilderness.  By  desertion 
and  detachments,  tbis  force  was  reduced  to  fourteen  hun- 
dred men.  On  the  third  of  November  they  encamped  a 
few  miles  from  the  villages  on  the  Miami,  intending  to 
remain  there  until  joined  by  those  who  were  absent. 

But,  before  sunrise  the  next  morning,  just  after  the 
troops  were  dismissed  from  the  parade,  they  were  attack- 
ed unexpectedly  by  the  Indians.  The  new  levies,  who 
were  in  front,  rushed  back  in  confusion  upon  the  regu- 
lars. These,  who  had  been  hastily  formed,  were  thrown 
into  disorder.  They,  however,  with  great  intrepidity,  ad- 
vanced into  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  who  retired  from 
covert  to  covert,  keeping  always  beyond  reach,  and  again 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  245 

returning  as  soon  as  the  troops  were  recalled  from  pur- 
suit. 1$  these  charges,  many  brave  and  experienced  offi- 
cers were  killed  ;  the  loss  of  men  was  also  great,  and  no 
permanent  impression  was  made  upon  the  enemy. 

At  length,  after  a  contest  of  three  or  four  hours,  St. 
Clair,  whose  ill  health  disabled  him  from  performing  the 
active  duties  of  commander,  determined  to  withdraw 
from  the  field  the  remnant  of  his  troops.  The  instant 
that  the  directions  to  retire  were  given,  a  disorderly  flight 
commenced.  Fortunately  for  the  survivors,  the  victorious 
Indians  were  soon  recalled  from  pursuit  to  the  camp,  by 
their  avidity  for  plunder  ;  and  the  vanquished  continued 
their  retreat  unmolested  to  the  frontier  settlements. 

In  this  battle,  the  numbers  engaged  on  both  sides  were 
supposed  to  be  equal.  Of  the  whites,  the  slaughter  was 
almost  beyond  example.  Six  hundred  and  thirty  were 
killed  and  missing,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty  were 
wounded — a  loss  which  proves  at  once  the  obstinacy  of 
the  defence,  and  the  bravery  of  the  assailants.  On  re- 
ceiving information  of  this  disaster,  congress,  resolving 
to  prosecute  the  war  with  increased  vigour,  made  provi- 
sion for  augmenting,  by  enlistment,  the  military  force  of 
the  nation  to  5000  men. 

About  the  first  of  August,  1794,  General  Wayne  ad- 
vanced upon  the  banks  of  the  Miami,  at  a  distance  of 
about  thirty  miles  from  the  enemy's  fort,  where  he  re- 
ceived an  additional  force  from  Kentucky  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Scott. 

The  general  made  one  more  effort  to  settle  a  peace  with 
the  Indians,  by  inviting  them  to  meet  him  in  a  council ;  but 
failing  in  this,  he  marched  against  them  with  his  whole 
force  down  the  Miami,  until  he  reached  the  rapids,  when 
his  advanced  guard,  under  Major  Price,  fell  into  an  Indian 
ambuscade.  \ 

A  rapid  and  vigorous  charge  roused  the  savages  from 
their  coverts,  and  they  were  driven  more  than  two  miles 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Broken  and  dismayed,  they 
fled  without  renewing  the  combat.  The  general  returned 
to  his  former  station  by  easy  marches,  and  laid  waste  the 
Indian  villages  and  cornfields. 

By  means  of  this  victory  over  the  Miamis,  a  general 
21* 


246  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

war  with  the  Six  Nations,  and  all  the  tribes  northwest  of 
the  Ohio,  was  prevented.  The  Americans  had  thirty- 
three  killed,  viz.  1  captain,  1  lieutenant,  3  sergeants,  28 
privates.  Wounded — 4  captains,  2  lieutenants,  1  ensign, 
4  sergeants,  3  corporals,  2  musicians,  84  privates.  Total, 
one  hundred. 

We  learn,  by  a  deserter  from  the  fort  to  General 
Wayne,  that  a  counsel  of  Indians  was  held  a  few  days 
after  the  defeat,  in  which  the  British  agents  endeavoured 
to  persuade  them  to  risk  another  action  ;  but  this  they  re- 
fused to  do,  expressing  a  willingness  to  bury  the  bloody 
hatchet,  and  return  to  their  homes. 

Their  loss  they  declared  to  be  200  killed,  besides  a  large 
number  wounded  and  missing. 

The  brave  and  heroic  conduct  of  every  officer  and  pri- 
vate belonging  to  the  American  army,  merit  the  approba- 
tion of  every  American  citizen. 

In  the  autumn  of  1792,  General  Washington  was  again 
unanimously  elected  president  of  the  American  republic, 
and  in  March,  1793,  was  inducted  into  office.  Mr.  Adams 
was  re-elected  vice-president,  in  opposition  to  George 
Clinton,  of  New-York.  In  the  progress  of  these  elec- 
tions, but  little  party  feeling  was  exhibited  ;  the  repose  of 
society  was  not  disturbed,  but  the  citizens  raised  to  posts 
of  the  highest  honour,  those  whom  their  judgments  and 
affections  designated  as  the  most  worthy. 

Early  in  April,  information  was  received  of  the  decla- 
ration of  war  by  France,  against  England  and  Holland. 
The  United  States  were  greatly  interested  for  the  success 
of  France,  which  had  assisted  us  during  our  revolution. 

The  French  people,  at  the  same  time,  regarded  the 
Americans  as  their  brethren,  bound  to  them  by  the  ties  of 
gratitude  ;  and  when  the  kings  of  Europe,  dreading  the 
establishment  of  republicanism  in  her  borders,  assembled 
in  arms  to  restore  monarchy  to  France,  she  looked  across 
the  Atlantic  for  sympathy  and  assistance.  The  new  go- 
vernment, recalling  the  minister  whom  the  king  had  ap- 
pointed, despatched  the  citizen  Genet,  of  ardent  temper, 
and  a  zealous  republican,  to  supply  his  place.  In  April, 
1793,  he  arrived  at  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  where 
he  was  received,  by  the  governor  and  the  citizens,  in  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  347 

manner  expressive  of  their  warm  attachment  to  his  coun- 
try, and  their  cordial  approbation  of  the  change  in  her 
institutions. 

Flattered  by  his  reception,  and  presuming  that  the  na- 
tion and  the  government  were  actuated  by  similar  feel- 
ings, he  assumed  the  authority  of  expediting  privateers 
from  that  port  to  cruise  against  the  vessels  of  nations  who 
were  enemies  to  France,  but  at  peace  with  the  United 
States,  a  procedure  forbidden  by  the  laws  of  nations,  and 
derogatory  to  the  government  of  the  country.  Notwith- 
standing this  illegal  assumption  of  power,  he  received,  on 
his  journey  to  Philadelphia,  extravagant  marks  of  public 
attachment;  and,  on  his  arrival  there,  "crowds  flocked 
from  every  avenue  of  the  city,  to  meet  the  republican 
ambassador  of  an  allied  nation."  Intoxicated  by  these 
continued  and  increased  demonstrations  of  regard,  he  per- 
sisted in  forming  and  executing  schemes  of  hostility 
against  the  enemies  of  France. 

Mr.  Hammond  and  the  American  cabinet  disapproved 
of  these  proceedings,  and  laid  them  before  the  president, 
who  appealed  to  the  French  government,  and  they  re- 
solved that  Genet  should  be  succeeded  by  Mr.  Fauchet, 
and  Mr.  Monroe  was  sent  out  to  France  to  succeed  Mr. 
Morris.  The  first  day  of  January,  1794,  Mr.  Jefferson, 
the  secretary,  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Edmund 
Randolph. 

Ever  since  the  peace  of  1783,  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain  complained  of  each  other  as  violating  the 
stipulation  contained  in  the  treaty.  The  latter  was  accu- 
sed of  carrying  away  negroes,  and  the  former  for  pre- 
venting the  loyalists  from  regaining  possession  of  their 
estates,  and  British  subjects  from  recovering  the  debts 
contracted  before  the  commencement  of  hostilities.  Mr. 
John  Jay  was  appointed  envoy  extraordinary  to  the  court 
of  Great  Britain,  and  succeeded  in  negotiating  a  treaty 
with  the  court  of  St.  James,  in  June,  1795. 

Mr.  Hamilton  retired  from  the  office  of  secretary,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Connecticut. 

As  the  time  for  a  new  election  of  president  approached, 
Washington  signified  his  intention  to  retire  from  public 
life,  and  published,  at  the  same  time,  his  farewell  addrew 


848  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Adams's  Administration. 

In  February,  1797,  John  Adams  was  declared  to  be 
elected  president  for  the  term  of  four  years,  commencing 
4th  of  March,  and  Mr.  Jefferson,  vice-president.  Wash- 
ington retired  to  Mount  Vernon,  having  established  his 
fame  as  the  greatest  hero,  and  most  distinguished  states- 
man of  the  age.  He  there  devoted  his  time  to  the  culti- 
vation of  an  extensive  farm,  and  to  the  enjoyment,  once 
more,  of  the  sweets  of  private  life. 

March  4th,  Mr.  Adams  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his 
office.  The  numerous  tribes  of  Indians  on  the  western 
territories,  had  been  taught,  by  arms  and  justice,  to  re- 
spect the  United  States,  and  continue  at  peace.  Trea- 
ties had  been  formed  with  Algiers  and  Tripoli,  so  that  the 
Mediterranean  was  opened  to  American  vessels. 

The  administration  of  Mr.  Adams  was  met  at  the 
threshold,  by  open  indignity  on  the  part  of  France,  in 
her  refusing  to  accept  Mr.  Pinckney  in  exchange  for  Mr. 
Monroe.  This  refusal  roused  the  sensibilities  of  Mr. 
Adams,  and  he  immediately  nominated  two  others,  Mr. 
Marshall  and  Mr.  Gerry,  who  were  sent  out  to  France  to 
co-operate  with  Mr.  Pinckney,  if  possible,  to  settle  an 
accommodation  with  the  directory. 

To  command  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  Presi- 
dent Adams,  with  the  unanimous  advice  of  the  senate,  ap- 
pointed George  Washington.  He  consented,  but  with 
great  reluctance,  to  accept  the  office ;  declaring,  however, 
that  he  cordially  approved  the  measures  of  the  govern- 
ment. 

No  opportunity  was  presented  of  testing  the  skill  and 
courage  of  the  American  troops.  At  sea,  a  desperate  ac- 
tion was  fought  between  the  frigate  Constellation,  of  38 
guns,  commanded  by  Commodore  Truxton,  and  the 
French  frigate  L'Insurgente,  of  40  guns.  The  latter,  al- 
though of  superior  force,  was  captured.  The  same  in- 
trepid officer,  in  a  subsequent  action,  compelled  another 
French  frigate  of  50  guns  to  strike  her  colours,  but  she 
afterwards  escaped  in  the  night. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  249 

The  United  States,  in  arms  at  home,  and  victorious  on 
the  ocean,  commanded  the  respect  of  their  enemy. — 
The  directory  made  overtures  of  peace.  The  president 
immediately  appointed  ministers,  who,  on  their  arrival  at 
Paris,  found  the  executive  authority  in  the  possession  of 
Bonaparte  as  first  consul.  They  were  promptly  accredit- 
ed, and  in  September,  1800,  a  treaty  was  concluded  satis- 
factory to  both  countries. 

While  this  negotiation  was  in  progress,  the  whole 
American  people  were  overshadowed  with  gloom,  by  the 
sudden  death  of  the  father  of  his  country.  On  the  14th 
of  December,  1799,  after  an  illness  of  one  day  only,  Ge- 
neral Washington  expired.  Intelligence  of  this  event,  as 
it  rapidly  spread,  produced  spontaneous,  deep,  and  unaf- 
fected grief,  suspending  every  other  thought,  and  absorb- 
ing every  different  feeling. 

Congress,  then  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  immediately 
adjourned.  On  assembling  the  next  day,  the  House  of 
Representatives  resolved,  "  that  the  speaker's  chair  should 
be  shrouded  in  black,  and  the  members  wear  black  during 
the  session  ;  and  that  a  joint  committee  should  be  ap- 
pointed to  devise  the  most  suitable  manner  of  paying  ho- 
nour to  the  memory  of  the  MAN,  first  in  war,  first  in  peace, 
and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen." 

The  senate,  on  this  melancholy  occasion,  addressed  a 
letter  of  condolence  to  the  president  of  the  United  States. 
"  This  event,"  they  observe,  "  so  distressing  to  all  our 
fellow  citizens,  must  be  particularly  heavy  to  you,  who 
have  long  been  associated  with  him  in  deeds  of  patriotism. 
Permit  us,  sir,  to  mingle  our  tears  with  yours.  On  this 
occasion,  it  is  manly  to  weep.  To  lose  such  a  man,  at 
such  a  crisis,  is  no  common  calamity  to  the  world.  Our 
country  mourns  a  father.  The  Almighty  Disposer  of  hu- 
man events  has  taken  from  us  our  greatest  benefactor  and 
ornament.  It  becomes  us  to  submit  with  reverence  to 
HIM  who  maketh  darkness  his  pavilion. 

"  With  patriotic  pride  we  review  the  life  of  our 
WASHINGTON,  and  compare  him  with  those  of  other 
countries  who  have  been  pre-eminent  in  fame.  Ancient 
and  modern  names  are  diminished  before  him.  Greatness 
and  guilt  have  too  often  been  allied ;  but  his  fame  is 


250  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

whiter  than  it  is  brilliant.  The  destroyer  of  nations 
stood  abashed  at  the  majesty  of  his  virtues.  It  reproved 
the  intemperance  of  their  ambition,  and  darkened  the 
splendour  of  victory. 

"  Such  was  the  man  whom  we  deplore.  Thanks  to  God, 
his  glory  is  consummated.  Washington  yet  lives  on  earth 
in  his  spotless  example — his  spirit  is  in  heaven.  Let  his 
countrymen  consecrate  the  memory  of  the  heroic  general, 
the  patriotic  statesman,  and  the  virtuous  sage  :  let  them 
teach  their  children  never  to  forget  that  the  fruits  of  his 
labours,  and  of  his  example,  are  their  inheritance." 

Agreeably  to  the  report  of  the  committee,  and  the  una- 
nimous resolves  of  congress,  a  funeral  procession  moved 
from  the  legislative  hall  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church, 
where  an  oration  was  delivered  by  General  Lee,  a  repre- 
sentative from  Virginia.  The  procession  was  grand  and 
solemn,  the  oration  impressive  and  eloquent.  Through- 
out the  union  similar  marks  of  affliction  were  exhibited. 
A  whole  bereaved  people  appeared  in  mourning.  In  every 
part  of  the  republic,  funeral  orations  were  delivered,  and 
the  best  talents  of  the  nation  were  devoted  to  an  expres- 
sion of  the  nation's  grief. 

In  1800,  congress  removed  from  Philadelphia  to  a  place 
which  had  been  previously  selected ;  and  public  buildings 
were  erected  on  the  Potomac,  a  few  miles  above  Mount 
Vernon,  to  which  the  name  of  Washington  was  given,  and 
congress  commenced  its  session  for  the  first  time  at  this 
place  in  November. 

President  Adams'  first  term  was  drawing  nigh  to  a 
close,  and  the  people  were  to  give  their  votes  for  the  next 
president. 

The  federalists  supported  Mr.  Adams,  and  General 
Pinckney ;  the  republicans,  Mr.  Jelferson  and  Colonel 
Burr. 

The  strife  of  the  two  parties  during  the  time  of  elec- 
tioneering, was  spirited.  Mr.  Jefferson  and  Mr.  Burr  re- 
ceived a  very  small  majority,  and  their  votes  were  equal, 
each  having  seventy-three.  The  house  of  representatives 
was  called  to  make  a  decision.  After  thirty-five  trials, 
Mr.  Jefferson  was  chosen  president,  and  Mr.  Burr  vice- 
president.  At  this  period  the  population  amounted  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  251 

5,319,763,  having  increased  about  one  million  four  hun- 
dred thousand,  in  ten  years. 

Mr.  Jefferson  entered  upon  the  duty  of  president 
March  4th,  1801.  Mr.  Jefferson  took  a  bold  and  decided 
stand,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following  extract  from  his 
message : 

"  Equal  and  exact  justice  to  all  men,  of  whatever  state 
or  persuasion,  religious  or  political, — peace,  commerce, 
and  honest  friendship,  with  all  nations,  entangling  alli- 
ances with  none  ;  the  support  of  the  state  governments 
in  all  their  rights,  as  the  most  competent  administration 
for  our  domestic  concerns,  arid  the  surest  bulwarks  against 
anti-republican  tendencies : — the  preservation  of  the  ge- 
neral government  in  its  whole  constitutional  vigour,  as  the 
sheet  anchor  of  our  peace  at  home,  and  safety  abroad: — 
a  jealous  care  of  the  right  of  election  by  the  people,  a 
mild  and  safe  corrective  of  abuses  which  are  lopped  by 
the  sword  of  revolution  where  peaceable  remedies  are 
unprovided : — absolute  acquiescence  in  the  decisions  of 
the  majority,  the  vital  principle  of  republics,  from  which 
is  no  appeal  but  to  force,  the  vital  principle,  and  im- 
mediate parent  of  despotisms  : — a  well-disciplined  militia, 
our  best  reliance  in  peace,  and  for  the  first  moments  of 
war,  till  regulars  may  relieve  them : — the  supremacy  of 
the  civil  over  the  military  authority : — economy  in  the 
public  expense,  that  labour  may  be  lightly  burthened. 

"  The  honest  payment  of  our  debts,  and  sacred  preser- 
vation of  the  public  faith  : — encouragement  of  agricul- 
ture, and  of  commerce  as  its  hand-maid  : — the  diffusion 
of  information,  and  arraignment  of  all  abuses  at  the  bar 
of  public  reason  : — freedom  of  religion ;  freedom  of  the 
press ;  and  freedom  of  person,  under  the  protection  of 
the  habeas  corpus  : — and  trial  by  juries  impartially  se- 
lected." "  These  principles,"  added  Mr.  Jefferson, 
"  should  be  the  creed  of  our  political  faith — and  should 
we  wander  from  them  in  moments  of  error  or  of  alarm, 
let  us  hasten  to  retrace  our  steps,  and  to  regain  the  road 
which  alone  leads  to  peace,  liberty,  and  safety." 

In  1802,  Ohio  was  admitted  as  an  independent  state 
into  the  union.  It  derived  its  name  from  the  River  Ohio, 
which  sweeps  the  southern  border  of  the  state,  Louisi- 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ana  was  purchased  by  the  United  States  in  April,  1803 
for  the  sum  of  fifteen  millions  of  dollars. 

The  Tripolitan  cruisers  continued  to  harass  the  ves- 
sels of  the  United  States,  and  congress  determined  to  act 
with  greater  vigour  against  them.  Accordingly,  a  squad- 
ron was  fitted  out,  and  the  command  given  to  Commodore 
Preble.  On  arriving  before  Tripoli,  Captain  Bainbridge, 
in  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  of  44  guns,  was  sent  into  the 
harbour  to  reconnoitre.  While  in  eager  pursuit  of  a  smab 
vessel,  he  unfortunately  advanced  so  far  that  the  frigate 
grounded,  and  all  attempts  to  remove  her  were  in  vain. 
The  sea  around  her  was  immediately  covered  with  Tripo- 
litan gun-boats,  and  Captain  Bainbridge  was  compelled  to 
surrender.  The  officers  wrere  considered  as  prisoners  of 
war ;  but  the  crew,  according  to  the  custom  of  Barbarv 
were  treated  as  slaves. 

At  the  capture  of  this  frigate,  the  enemy  rejoiced  and 
exulted  beyond  measure.  Lieutenant  Stephen  Decatur 
conceived  the  design  of  retaking,  or  destroying  her. 
Commodore  Preble,  applauding  the  spirit  of  the  youthful 
hero,  granted  him  permission  to  make  the  attempt.  In 
February,  1804,  he  sailed  from  Syracuse,  in  a  small 
schooner,  having  on  board  but  seventy-six  men,  entered 
undiscovered  the  harbour  of  Tripoli,  xand,  advancing 
boldly,  took  a  station  alongside  the  frigate.  Perceiving 
the  crew  in  consternation,  Decatur  sprang  on  board,  his 
men  followed,  and,  with  drawn  swords,  rushed  upon  the 
enemy.  The  decks  were  soon  cleared,  some  being  killed, 
and  others  driven  into  the  sea. 

A  heavy  cannonade  upon  the  frigate,  from  the  batte- 
ries on  shore,  and  the  corsairs  near,  was  now  commenced, 
and  several  vessels  of  war  were  seen  approaching.  She 
was  set  on  fire  and  abandoned,  none  of  the  party  being 
killed,  and  but  four  wounded.  Throughout  all  the  pira- 
tical states,  this  brilliant  exploit  exalted  the  reputation  of 
the  American  arms.  The  president,  in  reward  of  his  ad- 
dress and  bravery,  promoted  Lieutenant  Decatur  to  the 
rank  of  post-captain  in  the  navy. 

The  Bashaw,  who  might  well  be  compared  to  the  toad 
which  wished  to  swell  itself  to  the  size  of  an  ox,  reposed 
in  fancied  security.  He  cast  a  malignant  glance  at  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  253 

little  squadron  in  which  Decatur  was  one  of  the  distin- 
guished leaders.  He  saw  in  the  bay,  spreading  before  his 
city,  his  batteries,  and  his  castles,  a  noble  American  fri- 
gate, (the  Philadelphia,)  and  the  pride  of  the  American 
navy,  upon  which  the  "  star  spangled  banner"  once  tri- 
umphantly waved,  now  added  to  his  naval  force,  manned 
by  a  double  crew  of  Tripolitans,  and  Avith  the  Turkish 
crescent  waving  on  its  mast.  He  saw  its  once  gallan 
crew,  miserable  slaves  in  his  own  gloomy  dungeons ;  and, 
in  anticipation,  feasted  his  cannibal  appetite  upon  all  the 
victims  which  the  American  squadron  could  add  to  his 
list  of  Christian  slaves. 

The  American  squadron  obliged  the  Bashaw  to  smell 
their  powder,  and  taste  their  lead,  so  frequently,  that  he 
was  obliged  to  offer  favourable  terms  of  peace,  which 
were  accepted,  and  the  war  in  the  Mediterranean  ended. 

In  June,  1804,  Colonel  Burr  challenged  Mr.  Hamilton 
to  settle  some  trifling  offence  by  a  duel,  in  which  the  lat- 
ter was  killed. 

This  year  Mr.  Jefferson  was  re-elected  president,  and 
George  Clinton,  vice-president ;  and  their  term  of  office 
commenced  in  March,  1805.  This  year  Michigan  be- 
came a  government  of  the  United  States,  and  General 
Hull  was  appointed  by  Mr.  Jefferson  the  first  governor. 

Burr,  notwithstanding  his  brilliant  talents,  now  sunk, 
for  a  time,  into  merited  obscurity.  His  future  conduct 
showed,  however,  that,  while  unobserved  by  his  fellow- 
citizens,  he  had  not  been  idle.  In  the  autumn  of  1806, 
his  movements  in  the  western  country  attracted  the  no- 
tice of  government.  He  had  purchased  and  was  build- 
ing boats  on  the  Ohio,  and  engaging  men  to  descend  that 
river.  His  declared  purpose  was  to  form  a  settlement 
on  the  banks  of  the  Washita,  in  Louisiana ;  but  the  cha- 
racter of  the  man,  the  nature  of  his  preparations,  and  the 
incautious  disclosures  of  his  associates,  led  to  the  suspi- 
cion that  his  true  object  was  either  to  gain  possession  of 
New-Orleans,  and  erect  into  a  separate  government  the 
country  watered  by  the  Mississippi  and  its  branches,  or 
to  invade,  frorr  the  territories  of  the  United  States,  the 
rich  Spanish  province  of  Mexico. 

From  the  first  moment  of  suspicion,  he  was  closely 
22 


254  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

watched  by  the  agents  of  the  government.  At  Natchez, 
while  on  his  way  to  New-Orleans,  he  was  cited  to  appear 
before  the  supreme  court  of  the  Mississippi  territory.— 
But  he  had  so  enveloped  his  projects  in  secrecy,  that  suffi- 
cient evidence  to  convict  him  could  not  be  produced,  and 
he  was  discharged.  Hearing,  however,  that  several  per- 
sons, suspected  of  being  his  accomplices,  had  been  arrest- 
ed at  New-Orleans  and  elsewhere,  he  fled  in  disguise  frorr 
Natchez,  was  apprehended  on  the  Tombigbee,  and  con- 
veyed a  prisoner  to  Richmond.  Two  indictments  were 
found  against  him,  one  charging  him  with  treason  against 
the  United  States,  the  other  with  preparing  and  commen- 
cing an  expedition  against  the  dominions  of  Spain. 

In  August,  1807,  he  was  tried  upon  those  indictments, 
before  John  Marshall,  the  chief  justice  of  the  United 
States.  Full  evidence  of  his  guilt  not  being  exhibited,  lie 
was  acquitted  by  the  jury.  The  people,  however,  be- 
lieved him  guilty ;  and  by  their  desertion  and  contempt, 
he  was  reduced  to  a  condition  of  the  most  abject  wretch- 
edness. The  ease  with  which  his  plans  were  defeated, 
demonstrated  the  strength  of  the  government ;  and  his 
fate  will  ever  be  an  impressive  warning  to  those  who.  in 
a  free  country,  listen  to  the  suggestions  of  criminal  ambi- 
tion. 

In  June,  1807,  an  event  occurred,  which,  for  a  time, 
concentrated  upon  one  of  the  several  nations  the  whole 
weight  of  popular  indignation. 

On  the  22d  of  June,  the  Chesapeake  weighed  anchor 
and  proceeded  to  sea.  She  passed  the  British  ships  Bel- 
lona  and  Melampus,  lying  in  Lynnhaven  bay,  whose  ap- 
pearance was  friendly.  There  were  two  other  ships  that 
lay  off*Cape  Henry,  one  of  which,  the  Leopard,  Captain 
Humphreys,  weighed  anchor,  and  in  a  few  hours  came 
alongside  the  Chesapeake. 

A  British  officer  immediately  came  on  board,- and  de- 
manded the  deserters.  To  this,  Captain  Barron  replied, 
that  he  did  not  know  of  any  being  there,  and  that  his  duty 
forbade  him  to  allow  or  any  muster  of  his  crew,  except 
by  their  own  omcera. 

During  this  imerview,  Barron  noticed  some  proceed- 
ings of  a  hostile  nature  on  board  the  adverse  ship,  but 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  255 

he  could  not  be  persuaded  that  any  thing  but  menace  was 
intended  by  them.  After  the  British  officer  departed,  he 
gave  orders  to  clear  his  gun  deck,  and  after  some  time, 
he  directed  the  men  to  their  quarters  secretly,  and  with- 
out beat  of  drum;  still,  however,  without  any  serious  ap- 
prehensions of  an  attack. 

Before  these  orders  could  be  executed,  the  Leopard 
commenced  a  heavy  fire.  This  fire  unfortunately  was 
very  destructive.  In  about  thirty  minutes,  the  hull,  rig- 
ging, and  spars  of  the  Chesapeake  were  greatly  damaged, 
three  men  were  killed,  and  sixteen  wounded ;  among  the 
latter  was  the  captain  himself.  Such  was  the  previous 
disorder,  that  during  this  time,  the  utmost  exertions  were 
insufficient  to  prepare  the  ship  for  action,  and  the  captain 
thought  proper  to  strike  his  colours. 

The  British  captain  refused  to  accept  the  surrender  of 
the  Chesapeake,  but  took  from  her  crew,  Ware,  Martin, 
and  Strachan,  the  three  men  formerly  demanded  as  de- 
serters, and  a  fourth,  John  Wilson,  claimed  as  a  runaway 
from  a  merchant  ship. 

This  insolent  attack  upon  a  national  ship, — this  wanton 
exercise  of  a  claim  derogatory  to  national  honour, — aroused 
the  spirit  of  the  republic.  The  distinctions  of  party  were 
forgotten ;  numerous  meetings  of  the  citizens  wrere  held, 
and  all  concurred  in  the  expression  of  a  determination  to 
support  the  government  of  their  country  in  its  efforts  to 
obtain,  whether  by  negociation  or  war,  satisfaction  for 
this  insulting  outrage. 

The  president,  by  proclamation,  prohibited  all  British 
ships  of  war  from  continuing  in  or  entering  the  harbours 
of  the  United  States.  He  sent  instructions  to  the  minister 
at  London  to  demand  satisfaction  for  the  insult,  and  se- 
curity against  future  aggression.  He  summoned  congress 
to  meet  and  decide  what  further  measures  should  be  adopt- 
ed. The  British  government,  promptly  disavowing  the 
act  of  its  officer,  the  hostile  feelings  which  had  been  ex- 
cited began  to  subside  ;  but  delaying  to  render  satisfaction, 
and  refusing  to  adopt  adequate  measures  to  prevent  a  con- 
tinuance of  aggression,  they  were  not  extinguished  nor  ap- 
peased. 

On  the  6th  of  November  following,  the  Emperor  Napo- 


256  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

leon  issued  his  Berlin  decree,  which  declared  all  the  Bri- 
tish isles  in  a  state  of  blockade.  This  decree  was  in  direct 
violation  of  the  treaty  between  France  and  the  United 
States,  as  well  as  of  the  law  of  nations. 

On  the  7th  of  January,  1807,  the  British  government 
met  this  decree  by  an  order  in  council,  declaring  "  all 
vessels  coasting  from  one  port  to  another  on  the  coast  of 
France,  or  that  ef  her  allies,  liable  to  seizure  and  condem- 
nation." 

On  the  llth  of  November,  Great  Britain  repeated  her 
orders  in  council,  by  way  of  retaliation  upon  the  French 
decrees,  "  declaring  all  nations  at  war  with  Great  Britain, 
and  all  ports  from  which  the  British  flag  is  excluded,  to  be 
under  the  same  restrictions  in  point  of  trade  and  naviga- 
tion, as  if  the  same  were  in  a  state  of  blockade." 

To  retaliate  upon  Great  Britain  for  her  orders  in  council, 
the  French  emperor  issued  his  Milan  decree,  declaring 
"  all  vessels  denationalized,  which  shall  have  submitted 
to  a  search  from  a  British  ship,  and  every  vessel  a  good 
prize,  which  shall  sail  to  or  from  Great  Britain,  or  any  of 
her  colonies  or  countries  occupied  by  British  troops," 
December  17th,  1807. 

On  the  22d,  congress  laid  an  indefinite  embargo. 

Thus  balanced,  America  began  to  feel  more  immediately 
the  convulsions  of  Europe,  and  to  find  herself  involved  in 
the  contest.  One  grand  system  of  intrigue  now  pervaded 
all  Christendom,  and  paved  the  way  for  the  calamities  that 
followed. 

Mr.  Jefferson,  being  desirous  of  confirming  the  example 
of  Washington,  declined  a  re-election.  James  Madison 
was  elected  president,  and  George  Clinton  re-elected  vice-, 
president,  March,  1809. 

Great  Britain  continued  to  violate  the  laws  of  peace 
She  had  ships  of  war  stationed  before  the  principal  bar 
bours-  of  the  United  States.  American  merchantmen 
were  boarded,  searched,  and  many  of  them  sent  to  British 
ports  as  legal  prizes. 

Commodore  Rodgers,  commanding  the  frigate  Presi- 
dent, was  fired  upon  by  the  British  sloop  of  war  Little 
Belt,  of  18  guns  ;  but  the  President  being  a  superior  force, 
the  Little  Belt  was  soon  silenced  with  considerable  loss. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  .        357 

Congress,  in  November,  1811,  passed  a  law  to  increase 
the  regular  army  to  35,000  men ;  empowered  the  presi- 
dent to  accept  the  services  of  volunteers,  and  to  borrow 
eleven  million  dollars. 

Congress  continued  to  make  preparations  for  war,  yet 
still  cherishing  the  hope,  that  a  change  of  policy  in  Eu- 
rope would  render  unnecessary  an  appeal  to  arms.  On 
the  20th  of  May,  1812,  the  Hornet  arrived  from  London, 
bringing  information  that  no  prospect  existed  of  a  favour- 
able change.  On  the  first  of  June,  the  question  in  con- 
gress was,  whether  they  should  continue  to  endure  their 
wrongs,  or  resort  to  arms. 

The  British  government  had  been  told,  in  plain  terms, 
that  if  they  continued  to  drag  the  American  seamen  from 
their  ships,  and  rob  the  vessels  of  their  goods,  war  would 
be  inevitable. 

Congress,  after  sitting  a  number  of  days  with  closed 
doors,  declared  war  against  Great  Britain,  on  the  18th  of 
June,  1812;  and,  on  the  following  day,  war  was  publicly 
proclaimed. 

The  president  was  authorized  to  receive  50,000  volun- 
teers, and  to  call  out  one  hundred  thousand  militia.  Go- 
vernor Hull,  at  the  head  of  about  two  thousand  men,  was 
on  his  march  to  Detroit,  with  a  view  of  putting  an  end  to 
the  Indian  hostilities,  when  he  received  information  of  the 
declaration  of  war.  This  little  army  marched  to  Spring 
Wells,  within  a  few  miles  of  Detroit,  July  5th ;  there 
they  had  some  small  skirmishes  with  the  Indians,  but  soon 
compelled  them  to  retire,  and  Hull  proceeded,  without 
molestation,  to  Sandwich.  Here  he  was  met  by  a  supe- 
rior force,  under  the  command  of  General  Brock.  Gene- 
ral Hull  hastened  back  to  Detroit. 

On  the  14th,  the  British  took  a  position  opposite  to  De- 
troit, and  erected  batteries.  The  next  day  they  began  a 
cannonade  upon  the  American  fortifications,  which  was 
returned  with  precision  and  effect.  On  the  16th,  the 
enemy  crossed  the  river,  taking  post  about  three  miles 
above  the  town,  and  advanced  towards  the  fort  in  close 
columns,  twelve  deep.  The  hearts  of  our  soldiers  now 
beat  high  at  their  approach,  expecting  to  regain  their  cre- 

22* 


258  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

dit.  But  who  can  describe  the  chagrin  and  mortification 
which  took  possession  of  these  troops. 

At  the  very  moment  the  destruction  of  the  enemy  was 
certain,  orders  were  given  not  to  fire.  The  troops  were 
ordered  to  stack  their  arms,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of 
all,  a  white  flag,  in  token  of  submission,  was  suspended 
from  the  walls.  Words  are  wanting  to  express  the  feel- 
ings of  the  Americans  on  this  occasion ;  they  considered 
themselves  basely  betrayed,  in  thus  surrendering  to  an 
inferior  force,  without  firing  a  gun,  when  they  were  firmly 
convinced  the  enemy  were  in  their  power. 

General  Hull  was  exchanged  for  thirty  British  prison- 
ers, brought  before  a  court  martial,  charged  with  treason, 
cowardice,  and  unofficer-like  conduct,  was  sentenced  to 
death.  The  sentence  was  remitted  by  the  president,  but 
his  name  was  ordered  to  be  struck  from  the  rolls  of  the 
army.  While  the  nation  was  overspread  with  gloom  in 
consequence  of  this  disaster,  they  were  suddenly  consoled 
in  the  most  pleasing  manner.  A  new  and  glorious  era 
burst  upon  our  country,  and  upon  the  world. 

At  the  moment  of  the  declaration  of  war,  a  squadron 
under  Commodore  Rodgers,  had  rendezvoused  under  the 
order  of  the  government,  off  Sandy  Hook,  consisting  of 
the  frigates  President,  Congress,  United  States,  and  the 
brig  Hornet.  On  the  21st  of  June  they  put  to  sea,  in 
pursuit  of  a  British  squadron,  which  had  sailed  as  the 
convoy  of  the  West  India  fleet  the  preceding  month. 
While  thus  engaged,  the  British  frigate  Belvitlera  was  dis- 
covered, to  which  they  instantly  gave  chase.  The  chase 
was  continued  from  early  in  the  morning  until  past  four 
in  the  afternoon,  when  the  President,  outsailing  the  oth^r 
vessels,  had  come  within  gun  shot,  she  opened  a  fire  with 
her  bow  guns,  intending  to  cripple  the  Belvidera,  which 
returned  it  with  her  stern-chasers. 

The  firing  was  kept  up  for  ten  minutes,  when  one  of  the 
guns  of  the  President  burst,  killed  and  wounded  sixteen 
men,  and  fractured  the  leg  of  the  commodore.  By  this  ac- 
cident, and  the  explosion  of  the  passing  box,  the  decks 
were  so  much  shattered,  as  to  render  the  guns  on  that  side 
useless.  The  ship  was  then  put  about,  and  a  broadside  fired, 
but  without  the  desired  effect,  though  considerable  injury 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  359 

was  done  the  Belvidera.  This  vessel,  having  thrown 
overboard  every  thing  she  could  spare,  now  gained  ground. 
The  chase  was  continued  until  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  be- 
fore it  was  deemed  hopeless.  The  squadron  then  con- 
tinued in  pursuit  of  the  convoy,  which  it  did  not  give  over 
until  within  sight  of  the  British  channel ;  then  stood  for 
the  island  of  Madeira,  and  thence  passing  the  Azores, 
stood  for  Newfoundland,  and  thence  by  Cape  Sable,  ar- 
rived at  Boston  the  30th  of  August,  having  made  prize  of 
several  British  vessels ;  but  owing  to  the  haziness  of  the 
weather,  they  were  less  successful  than  might  have  been 
expected. 

The  frigate  Essex  went  to  sea  from  New-York,  on  the 
third  of  July;  the  Constitution  sailed  from  the  Chesa- 
peake on  the  12th  ;  the  brigs  Nautilus  and  Vixen  were  at 
the  same  time  cruising  off  the  coast ;  the  sloop  of  wai 
Wasp  was  at  sea,  on  her  return  from  France. 

The  Constitution,  Captain  Hull,  had  sailed  from  An- 
napolis on  the  5th  of  July.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th, 
off  Egg  Harbour,  she  was  chased  by  a  ship  of  the  line, 
the  Africa,  and  the  frigates  Shannon,  Guerriere,  Belvi- 
dera, and  ^Eolus.  These  vessels  were  approaching  ra- 
pidly, with  a  fine  breeze,  while  it  was  nearly  a  calm  about 
the  Constitution.  At  sunrise  the  next  morning,  escape 
from  the  enemy  was  almost  hopeless,  as  they  were  then 
within  five  miles.  The  Constitution  was  therefore  cleared 
for  action,  determined  to  make  a  desperate  resistance. 
The  enemy  still  drawing  near,  Captain  Hull  resolved  to 
make  another  effort  to  escape.  Boats  were  sent  ahead, 
with  anchors,  for  the  purpose  of  warping  ;  there  prevail- 
ing almost  a  calm.  The  others  finding  the  Constitution 
gaining  upon  them,  resorted  to  the  same  expedient.  The 
chase  continued  in  this  manner  for  two  days,  partly  sail 
ing  with  light  breezes,  and  partly  warping,  until  the  20th, 
when  the  squadron  was  left  entirely  out  of  sight.  This 
escape,  from  so  great  a  disparity  of  force,  was  considered 
as  deserving  a  high  rank  in  naval  exploits,  and  was  much 
admired  at  the  time,  as  evincing  superior  nautical  skill. 
The  advantage  to  the  British,  in  this  chase,  was  consider- 
able, when  we  reflect  that  their  foremost  vessel  had  the 
assistance  of  all  the  boats  of  the  squadron,  for  the  pur- 


260  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

pose  of  towing.  The  superiority  of  Captain  Hull  was 
that  of  seamanship  alone.  This  superiority  was  some- 
time afterwards  proved  in  a  most  remarkable  manner ; 
while  naval  history  lasts  it  will  not  be  forgotten. 

The  Constitution  again  put  to  sea,  on  the  second  of 
September.  On  the  nineteenth,  a  vessel  hove  in  sight, 
and  a  chase  instantly  commenced.  It  was  soon  disco- 
vered to  be  the  Guerriere,  one  of  the  best  frigates  in  the 
British  navy,  and  which  seemed  not  averse  from  the  ren- 
contre, as  she  backed  her  maintopsail,  waiting  for  the  Con- 
stitution to  come  down.  This  was  a  most  desirable  oc- 
currence to  our  brave  tars,  as  this  frigate  had  for  some 
time  been  in  search  of  an  American  frigate,  having  given 
a  formal  challenge  to  all  our  vessels  of  the  same  class. 
She  had  at  one  of  her  mast  heads  a  flag,  on  which  her 
name  was  inscribed  in  large  characters,  by  way  of  gas- 
conade, and  on  another,  the  words  "  not  the  Little  Belt," 
in  allusion  to  the  broadsides  which  the  President  had  gi- 
ven that  vessel  before  the  war. 

The  Guerriere  had  looked  into  several  of  our  ports,  and 
affected  to  be  exceedingly  anxious  to  earn  the  first  laurel 
from  the  new  enemy.  The  Constitution  being  made  rea- 
dy for  action,  now  bore  down,  her  crew  giving  three 
cheers.  At  first  it  was  the  intention  of  Captain  Hull  to 
bring  her  to  close  action  immediately ;  but  on  coming 
within  gunshot,  she  gave  a  broadside  and  filled  away,  then 
wore,  giving  a  broadside  on  the  other  tack,  but  without 
effect.  They  now  continued  wearing,  and  manoeuvring 
on  both  sides,  for  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  the  Guer- 
riere attempting  to  take  a  raking  position  ;  but  failing  in 
this,  she  bore  up,  under  her  topsail  and  jib.  The  Consti- 
tution perceiving  this,  made  sail  to  come  up  with  her. 
Captain  Hull,  with  admirable  coolness,  received  the  ene- 
my's fire,  without  returning  it. 

The  enemy,  mistaking  this  conduct  on  the  part  of  the 
American  commander,  for  want  of  skill,  continued  to  pour 
out  his  broadsides,  with  a  view  to  cripple  his  antagonist 
From  the  Constitution  not  a  gun  had  been  fired.  Already 
had  an  officer  twice  come  on  deck,  with  information  that 
several  of  the  men  had  been  killed  at  their  guns.  The 
gallant  crew,  though  burning  with  impatience,  silently 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  361 

awaited  the  orders  of  their  commander.  The  moment 
so  long  looked  for,  at  last  arrived.  Sailing  Master  Ayl- 
win,  having  seconded  the  views  of  the  captain  with  admi- 
rable skill,  in  bringing  the  vessels  exactly  to  the  station 
intended,  orders  were  given,  at  five  minutes  before  five, 
P.  M.  to  fire  broadside  after  broadside  in  quick  succession. 
The  crew  instantly  discovered  the  whole  plan,  and  enter- 
ed into  it  with  all  the  spirit  the  circumstance  was  calcu- 
lated to  inspire.  Never  was  any  firing  so  dreadful.  For 
fifteen  minutes  the  vivid  lightning  of  the  Constitution's 
guns  continued  one  blaze,  and  their  thunder  roared  with 
scarce  an  intermission. 

The  enemy's  mizenmast  had  gone  by  the  board,  and  he 
stood  exposed  to  a  raking  fire,  which  swept  his  decks. 
The  Guerriere  had  now  become  unmanageable  ;  her  hull, 
rigging,  and  sails,  dreadfully  torn  ;  when  the  Constitution 
attempted  to  lay  her  on  board.  At  this  moment,  Lieute- 
nant Bush,  in  attempting  to  throw  his  marines  on  board, 
was  killed  by  a  musket  ball,  and  the  enemy  shot  ahead, 
but  could  not  be  brought  before  the  wind.  A  raking  fire 
now  continued  for  fifteen  minutes  longer,  when  his  main- 
mast and  foremast  went,  taking  with  them  every  spar,  ex- 
cepting the  bowsprit.  On  seeing  this,  the  firing  ceased, 
and,  at  twenty-five  minutes  past  five,  she  surrendered. 
"  In  thirty  minutes,"  says  Captain  Hull,  "  after  we  got 
fairly  alongside  of  the  enemy,  she  surrendered,  and  had 
not  a  spiar  standing,  and  her  hull,  above  and  below  water, 
so  shattered,  that  a  few  more  broadsides  must  have  carri- 
ed her  down. 

The  Guerriere  was  so  much  damaged,  as  to  render  it 
impossible  to  bring  her  in  ;  she  was,  therefore,  set  fire  to 
the  next  day,  and  blown  up.  The  damage  sustained  by 
the  Constitution,  was  comparatively  of  so  little  conse- 
quence, that  she  actually  made  ready  for  action  when  a 
vessel  appeared  in  sight  the  next  day.  The  loss  on  board 
the  Guerriere  was  fifteen  killed,  and  sixty-three  wounded ; 
on  the  side  of  the  Constitution  seven  killed,  and  seven 
wounded.  It  is  pleasing  .to  observe,  that  even  the  British 
commander,  on  this  occasion,  bore  testimony  to  the  hu- 
manity and  generosity  with  which  he  was  treated  by  the 
victors.  The  American  frigate  was  somewhat  superior 


262  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

in  force,  by  a  few  guns,  but  this  difference  bore  no  com- 
parison to  the  disparity  of  the  conflict.  The  Guerriere 
was  thought  to  be  a  match  for  any  vessel  of  her  class,  and 
had  been  ranked  among  the  largest  in  the  British  navy. 
The  Constitution  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  28th  of  August, 
having  captured  several  merchant  vessels. 

On  the  7th  of  September,  Commodore  Porter,  of  the 
Essex,  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  merchantmen,  and  at  night 
cut  out  a  brig  with  a  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers  on  board, 
which  was  ransomed  for  14,000  dollars.  On  the  13th  of 
August,  the  Essex  fell  in  with  the  Alert,  sloop  of  war, 
and  captured  her  in  eight  minutes. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  a  squadron,  consisting  of  the 
President,  the  United  States,  Congress,  and  the  Argus, 
sailed  from  Boston  on  a  cruise.  On  the  13th,  the  United 
States  and  Argus  parted  from  the  rest  in  a  gale  of  wind. 
A  few  days  afterwards,  the  President  and  Congress  had 
the  good  fortune  to  capture  the  British  packet  Swallow, 
with  200,000  dollars  on  board  ;  and,  on  the  30th  of  De- 
cember arrived  at  Boston,  after  a  very  successful  cruise. 

The  Argus  was  not  less  fortunate :  after  parting  from 
the  squadron,  she  cruised  in  every  direction,  between  the 
continent  and  the  West  Indies,  and,  after  being  out  nine- 
ty-six days,  she  returned  to  New- York  with  prizes  to  the 
amount  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  She  made  va- 
rious hairbreadth  escapes ;  at  one  time,  she  was  chased 
by  a  British  squadron  for  three  days,  and  several  times 
almost  surrounded ;  she  was  one  moment  within  pistol 
shot  of  a  seventy-four,  and  yet,  in  the  midst  of  all  this 
peril,  she  actually  captured  and  manned  one  of  her 
prizes. 

The  United  States,  commanded  by  that  distinguished 
officer,  Commodore  Decatur,  soon  after  her  separation 
from  the  squadron,  had  the  good  fortune  to  add  another 
victory  to  our  Naval  Chronicle,  not  less  glorious  than  that 
of  the  Constitution.  On  the  25th  of  October,  off  the  West- 
ern Islands,  she  fell  in  with  the  Macedonian,  Capt.  Car- 
den,  a  frigate  of  the  largest  class,  carrying  49  guns  and 
300  men.  The  Macedonian,  being  to  windward,  she  had 
it  in  her  power  to  choose  her  distance,  and  at  no  time 
were  they  nearer  than  musket-shot ;  from  this  circum- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  263 

stance,  and  the  prevalence  of  a  heavy  sea,  the  action  lasted 
nearly  two  hours.  Thfe  superiority  of  the  American  gun- 
nery, in  this  action,  was  very  remarkable,  both  for  its 
greater  rapidity  and  effect.  From  the  continued  blaze  of 
her  guns,  the  United  States  was,  at  one  moment,  thought 
by  her  antagonist  to  be  on  fire ;  a  mistake  of  very  short 
duration. 

On  board  the  Macedonian  there  were  36  killed  and  68 
wounded.  She  lost  her  mainmast,  her  main-topmast,  and 
main  yard,  and  was  much  cut  up  in  her  hull.  The  United 
States  suffered  so  little,  that  a  return  to  port  was  not  ne- 
cessary ;  she  had  only  five  killed,  and  seven  wounded. 
Among  the  killed,  \vas  Lieutenant  Funk,  of  whom  the  com- 
modore spoke  in  the  highest  terms.  Lieutenant  Allen  was 
on  this  occasion  highly  applauded.  The  commodore  ar- 
rived at  New- York  on  the  4th  of  December,  with  his  prize. 
Commodore  Decatur,  already  a  universal  favourite,  expe- 
rienced the  same  demonstrations  of  gratitude  as  were 
shown  to  Capt.  Hull ;  nor  was  there  denied  him  that  new 
species  of  praise,  which  the  generous  conduct  of  our  he- 
roic seamen  has  uniformly  drawn  forth,  the  praise  of  the 
enemy ;  all  the  private  property  belonging  to  the  men 
and  officers  on  board  the  Macedonian,  was  restored  to  the 
captured,  with  the  most  rigid  exactitude ;  and  their  treat- 
ment was  the  most  polite  and  humane. 

An  act  of  generosity  and  benevolence  on  the  part  of 
our  brave  tars,  of  the  victorious  frigate,  deserves  to  be 
honourably  recorded.  The  carpenter,  who  was  unfortu- 
nately killed  in  the  conflict  with  the  Macedonian,  had  left 
three  small  children  to  the  care  of  a  worthless  mother. 
When  the  circumstance  became  known  to  the  brave  sea- 
men, they  instantly  made  a  contribution  amongst  them- 
selves, to  the  amount  of  eight  hundred  dollars,  and  placed 
it  in  safe  hands,  to  be  appropriated  to  the  education  and 
maintenance  of  the  unhappy  orphans. 

The  feelings  of  the  nation  had  scarce  time  to  subside, 
when  the  welcome  news  of  another  victory  was  received; 
a  victory  over  an  enemy  most  decidedly  superior  in  force, 
and  under  circumstances  the  most  favourable  to  him. 
This  was  the  capture  of  the  brig  Frolick,  of  22  guns,  by 
the  sloop  of  war  Wasp.  Captain  Jones  had  returned  from 


264  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

France  two  weeks  after  the  declaration  of  war,  and  on  the 
13th  of  October  again  put  to  sea.  On  the  16th,  he  expe- 
rienced a  heavy  gale,  in  which  the  Wasp  lost  her  jib-boom 
and  two  men.  On  the  evening  of  the  following  day,  the 
Wasp  found  herself  near  five  strange  sail,  and  as  two  of 
them  appeared  to  be  ships  of  war,  it  was  thought  proper 
to  keep  at  a  distance. 

At  day-light  on  Sunday  morning,  they  were  discovered 
to  be  six  merchant  ships,  from  Honduras  to  England,  undei 
strong  convoy  of  a  brig  and  two  ships,  armed  with  six- 
teen guns  each.  The  brig,  which  proved  to  be  the  Frolic, 
Capt.  Winyates,  dropped  behind,  while  the  others  made 
sail.  The  Wasp,  being  prepared-for  action,  at  32  minutes 
past  11  o'clock,  came  down  to  the  windward  in  handsome 
style,  when  the  action  was  begun  by  the  enemy's  cannon 
and  musketry.  This  was  returned,  and  approaching  still 
nearer  the  enemy,  brought  her  to  close  action.  In  five 
minutes  the  main-topmast  of  the  Wasp  was  shot  away,  and 
falling  down  with  the  main-topsail  yard  across  the  larboard 
fore  and  fore-topsail,  rendered  her  head  yards  unmanagea- 
ble during  the  rest  of  the  action.  In  two  minutes  more  her 
gaft  and  mizzen  top-gallaritmasts  were  shot  away.  The 
sea  being  exceedingly  rough,  the  muzzles  of  the  Wasp's 
guns  were  sometimes  under  water. 

The  English  fired  as  their  vessel  rose,  so  that  their 
shot  was  either  thrown  away,  or  touched  the  rigging  of 
the  Americans ;  the  Wasp,  on  the  contrary,  fired  as  she 
sunk,  and  every  time  struck  the  hull  of  her  antagonist. — 
The  Wasp  now  shot  ahead,  raked  her,  and  then  resumed 
her  position.  The  Frolic's  fire  had  evidently  slackened, 
and  the  W^asp  gradually  neared  her,  until,  the  last  broad- 
side, they  touched  her  side  with  their  rammers.  It  was 
determined  to  lay  her  by  the  board.  The  jib-boom  of 
the  Frolic  came  in  between  the  main  and  mizzen-mast 
rigging  of  the  Wasp,  and,  after  giving  a  raking  fire,  which 
swept  the  whole  deck,  they  resolved  to  board. 

Lieutenant  Biddle  sprang  on  the  rigging  of  the  enemy's 
bowsprit,  where  he  was  at  first  somewhat  entangled,  and 
Midshipman  Barker,  in  his  impatience  to  be  on  board, 
caught  hold  of  Biddle's  coat,  and  fell  back  on  the  deck, 
but  in  a  moment  sprang  up  and  leaped  on  the  bowsprit, 


THE  UNITED  STATES. 

where  he  found  one  Lang,  and  another  seaman.  His  sur- 
prise can  scarcely  be  imagined,  when  he  found  no  person 
on  deck  except  three  officers,  and  the  seaman  at  the  wheel. 
The  deck  was  slippery  with  blood,  and  presented  a  scene 
of  havoc  and  ruin,  such  as  has  been  seldom  witnessed. 
As  he  advanced  the  officers  threw  down  their  swords  in 
submission.  The  colours  were  still  flying,  there  being  no 
seamen  left  to  pull  them  down.  Lieutenant  Biddle  leap- 
ed into  the  rigging,  and  hauled  them  down  with  his  own 
hands. 

Thus,  in  forty-three  minutes,  complete  possession  was 
taken  of  the  Frolic,  after  one  of  the  most  bloody  conflicts 
any  where  recorded  in  naval  history.  The  condition  of 
this  unfortunate  vessel  was  inexpressibly  shocking.  The 
birth  deck  was  crowded  with  the  dead,  the  dying,  and  the 
wounded  ;  and  the  masts,  which  soon  after  fell,  covering 
the  dead,  and  every  thing  on  deck,  leaving  her  a  most 
melancholy  wreck.  Captain  Jones  sent  onboard  his  sur- 
geon, and  humanely  exerted  himself  in  their  relief,  to  the 
utmost  of  his  power.  The  loss  on  board  the  Frolic  was 
thirty  killed,  and  fifty  wounded ;  on  board  the  Wasp,  five 
killed,  and  five  slightly  wounded.  This  was  certainly  the 
most  decisive  action  fought  during  the  war.  The  Wasp 
and  Frolic  were  both  captured  that  very  day  by  a  British 
seventy-four,  the  Poictiers,  Captain  Beresford. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1813,  Mr.  Madison  entered  upon 
the  second  term  of  his  office,  Mr.  George  Clinton  was 
elected  vice-president,  but  soon  after  died,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Elbridge  Gerry. 

So  great  was  the  desire  of  the  citizens  of  the  western 
country  to  regain  possession  of  the  territory  of  Michigan, 
that,  in  order  to  effect  it,  General  Harrison  resolved  to 
undertake  a  winter  campaign.  General  Winchester,  with 
a  portion  of  the  western  army,  proceeded  in  advance  to 
Frenchtown,  a  village  on  the  River  Raisin,  not  far  from 
Detroit.  A  British  party,  stationed  in  the  village,  was 
attacked,  routed,  and  entirely  dispersed. 

The  Americans  encamped  near  the  field  of  battle,  a  part 
of  them  being  protected  by  close  garden  pickets.  Al- 
though near  an  enemy's  post,  but  little  precaution  was 
taken  to  present  a  surprise.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the 

23 


206  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

22d  of  January,  they  were  attacked  by  a  large  force  of 
British  and  Indians,  the  former  commanded  by  Colonel 
Proctor,  the  latter  by  the  Chiefs  Roundhead  and  Splitlog. 
The  troops  in  the  open  field  Avere  thrown  into  disorder. 
General  Winchester,  and  other  officers,  made  an  ineffec- 
tual attempt  to  rally  them.  They  fled,  but,  while  attempt- 
ing to  escape,  were  mostly  killed  by  the  Indians.  The 
eneral,  and  Colonel  Lewis,  were  made  prisoners. 

The  troops  behind  the  pickets  maintained  the  contest 
with  undaunted  bravery.  At  length  Colonel  Proctor  as- 
sured General  Winchester,  that  if  the  remainder  of  the 
Apiericans  would  immediately  surrender,  they  should  be 
protected  from  massacre  ;  but  otherwise  he  would  set  fire 
to  the  village,  and  would  not  be  responsible  fpr  the  con- 
duct of  the  savages.  Intimidated  by  this  threat,  General 
Winchester  sent  an  order  to  the  troops  to  surrender, 
which  they  obeyed. 

Colonel  Proctor,  leaving  the  wounded  without  a  guard, 
marched  back  immediately  to  Maiden.  The  Indians 
accompanied  them  a  few  miles,  but  returned  early  the 
next  morning.  Deeds  of  horror  followed.  The  wound- 
ed officers  were  dragged  from  the  houses,  killed  and  scalp- 
ed in  the  streets.  The  buildings  were  set  on  fire.  Some 
who  attempted  to  escape,  were  forced  back  into  the  flames. 
Others  were  put  to  death  by  the  tomahawk,  and  left  shock- 
ingly mangled  in  the  highway.  The  infamy  of  this  butch- 
ery should  not  fall  upon  the  perpetrators  alone.  It  must 
rest  equally  upon  those  who  instigated  them  to  hostility, 
by  whose*  side  they  fought,  who  were  able  and  were  bound 
by  a  solemn  engagement  to  restrain  them. 

The  battle  and  massacre  at  Frenchtown,  clothed  Ken- 
tucky and  Ohio  in  mourning.  Other  volunteers,  indig- 
nant at  the  treachery  and  cruelty  of  their  foes,  hastened 
to  the  aid  of  Harrison.  He  marched  to  the  rapids  of  the 
Miami,  where  he  erected  a  fort,  which  he  called  Fort 
Meigs,  in  honour  of  the  governor  of  Ohio.  On  the  first 
of  May,  it  was  invested  by  a  large  number  of  Indians,  and 
by  a  party  of  British  troops  from  Maiden,  the  whole  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Proctor. 

Five  days  afterwards,  General  Clay,  at  the  head  of  1200 
Kentuckians,  made  an  attempt  to  raise  the  siege.  Divi- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  267 

ding  his  force  into  several  parties,  and  making  an  impe- 
tuous onset,  he  drove  the  besiegers  from  their  works. 
His  troops,  supposing  the  victory  complete,  and  disre- 
garding the  orders  of  their  commander,  dispersed  into 
the  woods.  The  enemy,  returning  from  their  flight,  ob- 
tained an  easy  victory. 

Of  the  Americans,  two  or  three  hundred  escaped  into 
the  fort ;  about  three  hundred  were  killed  or  made  pri- 
soners ;  the  remainder  fled  to  the  nearest  settlements.  The 
enemy  sustained  considerable  loss.  The  fort  continued 
to  be  defended  with  bravery  and  skill.  The  Indians,  un- 
accustomed to  sieges,  became  weary  and  discontented.  On 
the  8th  of  May,  notwithstanding  the  entreaties  of  their 
chief,  Tecumseh,  they  deserted  their  allies.  On  the  9th, 
the  enemy,  despairing  of  success,  made  a  precipitate  re- 
treat. General  Harrison,  leaving  General  Clay  in  com- 
mand, returned  to  Ohio  for  reinforcements  ;  but  in  this 
quarter  active  operations  were  not  resumed,  until  a  squad- 
ron had  been  built  and  prepared  for  action  on  Lake  Erie. 

At  Sackett's  Harbour,  on  the  northern  frontier,  a  body 
of  troops  had  been  assembled,  under  the  command  of 
General  Dearborn,  and  great  exertions  were  made,  by 
Commodore  Chauncey,  to  build  and  equip  a  squadron,  on 
Lake  Ontario,  sufficiently  powerful  to  contend  with  that 
of  the  enemy.  By  the  25th  of  April,  the  naval  prepara- 
tions were  so  far  completed,  that  the  general,  and  1700 
troops,  were  conveyed  across  the  lake  to  the  attack  of 
York,  the  capital  of  Upper  Canada". 

On  the  27th,  an  advanced  party,  led  by  Brigadier-Ge- 
neral Pike,  who  was  born  in  a  camp,  and  bred  a  soldier 
from  his  birth,  landed,  although  opposed  at  the  water's 
edge  by  a  superior  force.  After  a  short  but  severe  con- 
flict, the  enemy  were  driven  to  their  fortifications.  The 
rest  of  the  troops  having  landed,  the  whole  party  pressed 
forward,  carried  the  first  battery  by  assault,  and  were  mo- 
ving towards  the  main  works,  when  the  enemy's  maga- 
zine blew  up,  with  a  tremendous  explosion,  hurling  upon 
the  advancing  troops  immense  quantities  of  stone  and  tim- 
ber. 

Numbers  were  killed  ;  the  gallant  Pike  received  a  mor- 
tal wound ;  the  troops  halted  for  a  moment,  but  recover- 


268  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ing  from  the  shock,  again  pressed  forward,  and  soon 
gained  possession  of  the  town.  Of  the  British  troops, 
one  hundred  were  killed,  nearly  three  hundred  were 
wounded,  and  the  same  number  made  prisoners.  Of  the 
Americans,  three  hundred  and  twenty  were  killed  and 
wounded,  and  nearly  all  of  them  by  the  explosion  of  the 
magazine.  The  flag  which  waved  over  the  fort,  was  car- 
ied  to  the  dying  Pike ;  at  his  desire  it  was  placed  under 
his  head,  when,  with  the  smile  of  triumph  on  his  lips,  he 
expired. 

The  object  of  the  expedition  attained,  the  squadron  and 
troops  returned  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  whence  the  wound- 
ed and  prisoners  being  landed,  and  other  troops  taken  on 
board,  it  sailed  to  Fort  George,  at  the  head  of  the  lake. 
After  a  warm  engagement,  the  enemy  abandoned,  and  the 
Americans  entered  the  fort.  The  fugitives  retired  to  the 
heights  at  the  head  of  Burlington  Bay.  On  their  retreat, 
they  were  joined  by  a  detachment  from  Fort  Erie  and 
Chippeway.  Two  brigades,  under  Generals  Chandler 
and  Winder,  were  despatched  in  pursuit.  On  the  evening 
of  the  5th  of  June,  they  encamped  at  Stoney  Creek,  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  enemy,  who,  considering  their  situa- 
tion desperate,  turned  upon  their  pursuers,  and  attacked 
them  in  the  night. 

The  Americans  received  them  with  coolness  ;  but  such 
was  the  darkness,  that  General  Chandler,  intending  to 
place  himself  at  the  head  of  his  artillery,  threw  himself 
into  the  midst  of  a  British  party.  A  few  minutes  after- 
wards, the  same  mistake  was  committed  by  General  Win- 
der. Satisfied  with  the  capture  of  these  officers,  and  a 
few  other  prisoners,  the  enemy  made  a  precipitate  retreat. 
The  American  troops  returned  to  Fort  George.  The 
misfortune  was  soon  followed  by  another.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Boerstler,  having  been  sent,  with  five  hundred 
men,  to  disperse  a  body  of  the  enemy  collected  at  the 
Beaver  Dams,  was  surrounded,  and  the  whole  detachment 
made  prisoners. 

While  the  greater  part  of  the  American  army  was  thus 
employed  in  Canada,  the  British  made  an  attack  upon  the 
important  post  of  Sackett's  Harbour.  On  the  27th  of 
May,  their  squadron  appeared  before  the  town.  Alarm 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  269 

guns  instantly  assembled  the  citizens  of  the  neighbour- 
hood. General  Brown,  of  the  New-York  militia,  com- 
manded in  chief,  his  whole  force  amounting  to  about  one 
thousand  men.  By  his  orders,  a  slight  breast-work  was 
hastily  thrown  up,  at  the  only  place  where  the  enemy  could 
land.  Behind  this  he  placed  the  militia,  the  regulars  un- 
der Colonel  Backus  forming  a  second  line. 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  one  thousand  British 
troops  landed  from  the  squadron.  They  advanced  to- 
wards the  breastwork.  The  militia,  seized  with  a  sudden 
panic,  fled  in  confusion.  Colonel  Mills,  in  a  vain  attempt 
to  rally  them,  was  mortally  wounded.  The  regulars,  af- 
ter a  spirited  resistance,  were  compelled  to  retire  towards 
the  town,  but  in  their  retreat  they  took  possession  of  the 
houses  on  the  road.  From  these  coverts  they  poured  so 
destructive  a  fire  upon  the  •  British  column,  that  it  halted 
and  fell  back. 

General  Brown,  by  a  stratagem,  converted  this  slight 
check  into  a  precipitate  flight.  Collecting  the  panic 
struck  militia,  he  directed  their  course  along  a  road,  which, 
while  it  led  from  the  village,  appeared  to  the  British  com- 
mander to  lead  to  the  place  of  landing.  Perceiving  them 
marching  with  great  speed,  he  supposed  that  their  object 
was  to  cut  off  his  retreat,  and  re-embarked  so  hastily  as 
to  leave  behind  most  of  his  wounded.  General  Brown,  in 
recompense  for  his  services,  was  appointed  a  brigadier  in 
the  regular  army. 

Meanwhile,  upon  the  sea  coast,  a  distressing  and  pre- 
datory war  was  carried  on,  by  a  large  detachment  from 
the  powerful  navy  of  Great  Britain.  One  squadron,  sta- 
tioned in  Delaware  bay,  captured  and  burned  every  mer- 
chant vessel  which  carne  within  its  reach.  The  inhabit- 
ants of  Lewiston,  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  having  refused 
to  sell  provisions  to  the  enemy,  the  village  was  bombarded, 
and  severaj  attempts  were  made  to  land,  but  they  were 
defeated  by  the  militia. 

On  the  fourth  of  February,  a  squadron  consisting  of 
two  ships  of  the  line,  three  frigates,  and  other  vessels, 
made  its  appearance  in  the  Chesapeake,  apparently  stand- 
ing for  Hampton  Roads.  The  alarm  was  immediately 
caught  at  Norfolk,  and  the  militia  called  in  from  the  upper 


270  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

part  of  the  state.  No  attempt,  however,  was  made  upon 
the  town,  the  enemy  contenting  himself  with  destroying 
the  smaller  vessels  employed  in  the  navigation  of  the  bay, 
and  effectively  blockading  its  waters.  About  the  same 
time,  another  squadron  under  the  command  of  Commo- 
dore Beresford,  appeared  in  the  Delaware,  consisting  of  the 
Poictiers,  the  Belvidera,  and  some  other  vessels,  which  in 
the  same  manner  destroyed  a  number  of  small  trading  ves- 
sels, and  attempted  several  times  to  land  some  of  their  men, 
who  wrere  as  often  repulsed  by  the  militia,  hastily  collected. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  Sir  John  Beresford  made  a  de- 
mand on  the  people  of  the  village  of  Lewiston,  for  a 
supply  of  provisions,  which  was  spiritedly  refused  by  Co- 
lonel Davis,  commanding  at  that  place.  Captain  Byron, 
of  the  Belvidera,  was  ordered  to  move  near  the  village  and 
bombard  it,  until  the  demand  should  be  complied  with. 
This  was  obeyed,  but  without  effect ;  after  a  cannonade 
of  twenty  hours,  they  were  unable  to  make  any  impression 
on  the  place.  Their  fire  had  been  returned  from  some 
batteries,  hastily  thrown  up  on  the  bank,  with  considera- 
ble effect.  On  \he  10th  of  May,  the  same  squadron  sent 
out  their  barges  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lewiston,  to 
procure  water.  Major  George  Hunter  was  detached  by 
Colonel  Davis,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  to  oppose 
their  landing,  which  the  major  did  with  so  much  gallantry, 
that  he  compelled  them  to  hasten  to  their  shipping.  The 
squadron  soon  after  returned  to  Bermuda,  where  sir  J. 
Borlace  Warren,  who  commanded  on  this  station,  was 
engaged  in  fitting  out  a  more  considerable  armament,  for 
the  attack  of  our  sea  coast  during  the  summer. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  the  squadron,  the  Spartan, 
and  some  other  frigates,  entered  the  Delaware.  One  of 
their  vessels,  the  Martin,  was  discovered  on  the  twenty- 
ninth  of  July,  slightly  grounded  on  the  outer  edge  01 
Crow's  Shoals.  A  detachment  of  the  gun-boat  flotilla 
immediately  moved,  and,  anchoring  in  a  line  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  sloop,  opened  a  destructive 
fire  upon  her.  The  Junon  frigate  soon  after  came  off  to 
her  relief;  a  cannonade  was  kept  up  during  an  hour,  be- 
tween the  gunboats  and  these  two  vessels,  in  which  the 
latter  suffered  great  injury.  Finding  it  impossible  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  271 

drive  off  this  musqueto  fleet,  they  manned  their  launches, 
tenders,  and  cutters,  to  cut  off  the  gun-boats  at  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  line.  No.  121,  commanded  by  Sailing 
Master  Head,  was  unfortunately  taken,  after  a  desperate 
resistance  against  eight  times  her  number.  The  British 
soon  after  made  sail,  the  Martin  having  been  extricated 
from  her  situation. 

Scenes  of  a  different  kind  were,  in  the  meanwhile,  act- 
ing in  the  Chesapeake.  The  squadron,  which  returned  in 
February,  still  continued  to  carry  on  a  predatory  war 
along  the  shores  and  inlets.  It  was  here  that  one  Cock- 
burn,  by  some  means  an  admiral  in  the  service  of  the 
king  of  England,  exhibited  the  first  of  those  exploits,  for 
which  he  afterwards  became  so  highly  celebrated,  and  of 
which  he  may  justly  claim  to  be  the  originator.  At  first 
they  were  directed  against  the  detached  farm  houses,  and 
seats  of  private  gentlemen,  unprepared  for,  and  incapa- 
ble of  defence  ;  these  were  robbed,  and  the  owners  treat- 
ed in  the  rudest  manner.  The  cattle  which  could  not  be 
carried  away,  were  doomed  to  wanton  destruction ;  the 
slaves  were  armed  against  their  owners,  and  persuaded  to 
follow  the  example  of  their  new  friends,  to  attack  their 
master's  defenceless  families,  and  to  engage  in  pillaging 
them. 

It  was  impossible  to  station  a  force  at  each  farm  house, 
to  repel  these  miserable  and  disgraceful  incursions ;  yet, 
in  several  instances,  Cockburn  and  his  ruffians  were 
bravely  repelled  by  a  collection  of  the  neighbours,  with- 
out authority,  and  under  no  leader.  The  spirited  citizens 
of  Maryland  formed  bodies  of  cavalry,  which  were  sta- 
tioned at  intervals  along  the  shore,  to  be  drawn  out  at  a 
moment's  warning,  for  the  purpose  of  repelling  the  sud- 
den inroads  of  the  enemy.  Cockburn  took  possession  of 
several  islands  in  the  bay,  particularly  Sharp's,  Tilgh- 
man's,  and  Poplar  islands,  whence  he  could  seize  the  op- 
portunity of  making  a  descent  upon  the  neighbouring 
shores,  when  the  inhabitants  happened  to  be  off  their 
guard. 

Encouraged  by  his  success  against  the  farmers,  and  his 
rapacity  increasing  by  the  booty  which  he  had  already 
obtained,  Cofckburn  now  resolved  to  undertake  something 


272  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

of  a  more  bold  and  adventurous  character,  in  which  his 
thirst  for  plunder,  and  his  love  of  mischief,  might  be  gra- 
tified in  a  higher  degree.  He,  therefore,  directed  his 
attention  to  the  unprotected  villages  and  hamlets  along 
the  bay,  carefully  avoiding  the  larger  towns,  the  plunder- 
ing of  which  might  be  attended  with  some  danger.  The 
first  of  these  exploits  was  against  the  village  of  French- 
town,  containing  six  dwelling  houses,  two  large  store- 
houses, and  several  stables.  It  was  important,  however, 
as  a  place  of  deposite  on  the  line  of  packets  and  stages 
from  Philadelphia  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  Cockburn 
rightly  conjectured,  that  here  there  might  be  private  pro- 
perty to  a  considerable  amount. 

He  accordingly  set  out  on  this  expedition,  from  his  ship, 
the  Marlborough,  in  barges,  with  five  hundred  marines ; 
a  sufficient  number  to  have  carried  the  town  on  their 
backs.  Some  show  of  resistance  was  made  by  a  small 
party  of  militia  collected  from  Elkton,  but  which  moved 
off  as  the  admiral  approached.  The  storehouses  were 
destroyed,  together  with  the  goods  they  were  unable  to 
carry  off,  to  an  immense  amount.  Amongst  other  objects 
of  wanton  destruction,  was  an  elegant  drop-curtain,  in- 
tended for  the  theatres  of  the  cities  before  mentioned. 
The  brand  was  applied  to  some  of  the  private  dwelling 
houses,  and  to  several  vessels  lying  at  the  wharf;  after 
achieving  this  glorious  victory,  the  admiral,  fearing  the 
approach  of  the  militia,  hastily  retired  to  his  ship. 

The  next  exploit  of  the  admiral  was  of  still  greater 
importance.  The  town  of  Havre  de  Grace  is  situated 
on  the  Susquehannah,  about  two  miles  from  the  head  o. 
the  bay,  and  is  a  neat  village,  containing  twenty  or  thirty 
houses.  An  attack  on  this  place  was  the  next  object 
which  entered  into  the  plan  of  the  admiral's  operations. 
Accordingly,  on  the  third  of  May,  before  day-light,  lii, 
approach  was  announced  by  a  few  cannon  shot,  and  the 
firing  of  rockets.  The  inhabitants,  roused  from  their 
sleep,  leaped  up  in  the  greatest  consternation,  and  the 
more  courageous  repaired  to  the  beach,  where  a  few  small 
pieces  of  artillery  had  been  planted  on  a  kind  of  battery 
for  the  purpose  of  defence  against  the  smaller  watering 
or  plundering  parties  of  the  enemy. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  273 

After  firing  a  few  shots,  with  the  exception  of  an  old 
citizen  of  the  place,  of  the  name  of  O'Neill,  they  all  fled 
on  the  approach  of  the  barges,  abandoning  the  village  to 
the  mercy  of  Cockburn.  O'Neill  alone  continued  to 
fight,  loading  a  piece  of  artillery,  and  firing  it  himself, 
until  by  recoiling  it  ran  over  his  thigh>  and  wounded  him 
severely.  He  then  armed  himself  with  a  musket,  and 
limping  away,  still  kept  up  a  retreating  fight  with  the  ad- 
vancing column  of  the  British,  who  had  by  this  time  land- 
ed and  formed;  after  which  he  moved  oflf  to  join  his  five 
or  six  comrades,  whom  he  attempted  in  vain  to  rally. 

The  ocean,  in  the  mean  time,  had  been  the  theatre  of 
sanguinary  conflicts,  in  which  the  victors  gained  untar- 
nished laurels.  Captain  Lawrence,  in  the  sloop  of  war 
Hornet,  discovering,  in  the  neutral  port  of  San  Salvador, 
a  British  sloop  of  war  of  superior  force,  challenged  her 
commander  to  meet  him  at  sea.  The  challenge  being 
declined,  Captain  Lawrence  blockaded  the  port,  until  for- 
ced by  a  ship  of  the  line  to  retire. 

Soon  after,  on  the  23d  of  February,  the  Hornet  met 
the  British  brig  Peacock,  of  about  equal  force.  A  fierce 
combat  ensued.  In  less  than  fifteen  minutes,  the  Pea- 
cock struck  her  colours,  displaying,  at  the  same  time,  a 
signal  of  distress.  The  victors  hastened  to  the  relief  of 
the  vanquished,  and  the  same  strength  which  had  been 
exerted  to  conquer  was  now  exerted  to  save.  Their  ef- 
forts were  but  partially  successful.  She  sunk  before  all 
her  crew  could  be  removed,  carrying  down  nine  British 
seamen  and  three  brave  and  generous  Americans.  In 
the  battle,  the  loss  of  the  Hornet  was  but  one  killed  and 
"two  wounded  ;  that  of  the  Peacock  was  never  ascertained. 

On  his  return  to  the  United  States,  Captain  Lawrence 

was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  frigate  Chesapeake, 

then  in  the  harbour  of  Boston.     For  several  weeks,   the 

British  frigate  Shannon,  of  equal  force,  but  having  a  se- 

ected  crew,  had  been  cruising  before  the  port ;  and  Cap- 

ain  Broke,  her  commander,  had  announced  his  wish  to 

meet,  in  single  combat,   an  American  frigate.     Inflamed 

by  this  challenge,  Captain  Lawrence,  although  his  crew 

was  just  enlisted,  and  his  officers  were  strangers  to  him 


274  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  to  each  other,  set  sail,  on  the  first  of  June,  in  pursuit 
of  the  Shannon. 

Towards  evening  of  the  same  day,  they  met,  and  in- 
stantly engaged,  with  unexampled  fury.  In  a  very  few 
minutes,  and  in  quick  succession,  the  sailing  master  of 
the  Chesapeake  was  killed,  Captain  Lawrence  and  three 
lieutenants  were  severely  wounded ;  her  rigging  was  so 
cut  to  pieces  that  she  fell  on  board  the  Shannon ;  her  chest 
of  arms  blew  up ;  Captain  Lawrence  received  a  second 
and  mortal  wound,  and  was  carried  below  ;  at  this  instant, 
the  position  of  the  ships  being  favourable,  Captain  Broke, 
at  the  head  of  his  marines,  gallantly  boarded  the  Chesa- 
peake, when  every  officer  who  could  take  command  being 
killed  or  wounded,  resistance  ceased,  and  the  American 
flag  was  struck  by  the  enemy. 

That  fortune  favoured  the  Shannon  cannot  be  doubted. 
That  the  event  would  have  been  -the  same  had  fortune  fa- 
voured neither,  is  rendered  probable  by  the  astonishing 
effect  of  her  fire.  This  unexpected  defeat  impelled  the 
Americans  to  seek  for  circumstances  consoling  to  their 
pride ;  and  in  the  journals  of  the  day,  many  such  were 
stated  to  have  preceded  and  attended  the  action.  But 
nothing  could  allay  their  grief  at  the  fall  of  the  youthful  m 
and  intrepid  Lawrence.  His  previous  victory  and  mag- 
nanimous conduct  had  rendered  him  the  favourite  of  the 
nation,  and  he  was  lamented  with  sorrow,  deep,  sincere, 
and  lasting.  When  carried  below,  he  was  asked  if  the 
colours  should  be  struck.  "  No,"  he  replied,  "  they  shall 
wave  while  I  live."  When  the  fate  of  the  ship  was  de- 
cided, his  proud  spirit  was  broken.  He  became  delirious 
from  excess  of  mental  and  bodily  suffering.  Whenever 
able  to  speak,  he  would  exclaim,  "  Don't  give  up  the 
ship !"  an  expression  consecrated  by  his  countrymen ; 
and  he  uttered  but  few  other  words  during  the  four  days 
that  he  survived  his  defeat. 

This  victory  was  not  achieved  without  loss.  Of  the 
crew  of  the  Shannon,  twenty-four  were  killed,  and  fifty- 
six  wounded.  Of  that  of  the  Chesapeake,  forty-eight 
were  killed,  and  nearly  one  hundred  wounded.  Great 
was  the  exultation  of  the  enemy.  Victories  over  the  fri- 
gates of  other  nations,  were  occurrences  too  common  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  275 

excite  emotion ;  but  the  capture  of  an  American  frigate 
was  considered  a  glorious  epoch  in  the  naval  history  of 
Great  Britain.  The  honours  and  rewards  bestowed  upon 
Captain  Broke,  were  such  as  had  never  before  been  re- 
ceived but  by  the  conqueror  of  a  squadron.  These  de- 
monstrations of  triumph  were  inadvertent  confessions  of 
American  superiority ;  and  were,  to  the  vanquished  them- 
selves, sources  of  triumph  and  consolation. 

The  next  encounter  at  sea  was  between  the  American 
brig  Argus,  and  the  British  brig  Pelican.  The  latter  was 
of  superior  force,  and  was  victorious.  Soon  after,  the 
American  brig  Enterprise,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Bur- 
rows, captured  the  British  brig  Boxer,  commanded  by 
Captain  Blyth.  These  vessels  were  of  equal  force,  but 
the  great  effect  of  the  fire  of  the  Enterprise,  furnished  to 
the  Americans  another  proof  of  the  superior  skill  of  their 
seamen.  Both  commanders  were  killed  in  the  action, 
and  were  buried,  each  by  the  other's  side,  in  Portland. 

Commodore  Porter  had  been  cruising  in  the  Pacific  for 
nearly  a  year,  in  the  course  of  which  he  had  captured 
several  British  armed  whale  ships.  Some  of  these  were 
equipped  as  American  cruisers  and  store  ships  ;  and  the 
Atlantic,  now  called  the  Essex  Junior,  of  twenty  guns 
and  sixty  men,  was  assigned  to  Lieutenant  Downes.  The 
prizes  which  were  to  be  laid  up,  were  convoyed  by  this 
officer  to  Valparaiso.  On  his  return  he  brought  intelli- 
gence to  Commodore  Porter  that  a  British  squadron, 
consisting  of  one  frigate,  and  two  sloops  of  war,  and  a 
store  ship  of  twenty  guns,  had  sailed  in  quest  of  the 
Essex.  The  commodore  took  measures  immediately  to 
repair  his  vessel,  which,  having  accomplished  on  the  12th 
of  December,  1813,  he  sailed  for  Valparaiso,  in  company 
AV  ith  the  Essex  Junior. 

"  It  was  not  long  after  the  arrival  of  Commodore  Por- 
ter at  Valparaiso,  when  Commodore  Hillyar  appeared 
there  in  the  Phoebe  frigate,  accompanied  by  the  Cherub 
sloop  of  war.  These  vessels  had  been  equipped  for  the 
purpose  of  meeting  the  Essex,  with  picked  crews,  in 
prime  order,  and  hoisted  flags  bearing  the  motto,  '  God 
and  our  country,  British,  sailors'  best  rights ;  traitors  of- 
fend them.1 


276  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

"  This  was  in  allusion  to  Porter's  celebrated  motto, 
*  Free  trade  and  sailor's  rights ;'  he  now  hoisted  at  his 
mizzen,  '  God,  our  country,  and  liberty:  tyrants  offend 
them.'  On  entering  the  harbour,  the  British  commodore 
fell  foul  of  the  Essex,  in  such  a  situation  as  to  be  placed 
completely  in  the  power  of  the  latter ;  the  forbearance  of 
Commodore  Porter  was  acknowledged  by  the  English 
ommander,  and  he  passed  his  word  and  honour  to  ob- 
serve the  same  regard  to  the  neutrality  of  the  port. 

"  The  British  vessels  soon  after  stood  out,  and  cruised 
off  the  port  about  six  weeks,  rigorously  blockading  the 
Essex.  Their  united  force  amounted  to  eighty-one  guns, 
and  about  five  hundred  men,  about  double  that  of  the 
Essex ;  but  the  circumstance  of  this  force  being  divided 
in  two  ships,  rendered  the  disparity  still  greater,  and  was 
by  no  means  counterbalanced  by  the  Essex  Junior.  Com- 
modore Porter  being  prevented,  by  this  great  disparity 
of  force,  from  engaging,  made  repeated  attempts  to  draw 
the  Phoebe  into  action  singly,  either  by  mahceuvreing  or 
sending  formal  challenges  ;  but  Commodore  Hillyar  care- 
fully avoided  the  coming  to  action  alone.  The  American 
commander,  hearing  that  an  additional  British  force  was 
on  its  way,  and  having  discovered  that  his  vessel  could 
outsail  those  of  the  British,  determined  to  sail  out,  and, 
while  the  enemy  was  in  chase,  enable  the  Essex  Junior  to 
escape  to  a  place  of  rendezvous  previously  appointed. 

"  On  the  twenty-eighth  of  March,  the  wrind  coming  on 
to  blow  fresh  from  the  southward ;  the  Essex  parted  her 
starboard  cable,  and  dragging  her  larboard  anchor  to  sea. 
Not  a  moment  was  lost  in  getting  sail  on  the  ship,  as  it 
was  determined  to  seize  this  moment  to  escape.  In  en- 
deavouring to  pass  to  the  windward  of  the  enemy,  a  squall 
struck  the  American  vessel,  just  as  she  was  doubling  the 
point,  which  carried  away  her  main-topmast ;  both  ships 
immediately  gave  chase,  and  being  unable  to  escape  in 
his  crippled  state,  the  commodore  endeavoured  to  put  back 
into  the  harbour ;  but  finding  this  impracticable,  he  ran 
into  a  small  bay,  and  anchored  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
shore  ;  where,  from  a  supposition  that  the  enemy  would 
continue  to  respect  the  neutrality  of  the  port,  he  thought 
himself  secure.  He  soon  found,  however,  by  the  manner 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  277 

in  which  they  approached,  that  he  was  mistaken.  With 
all  possible  despatch,  therefore,  he  prepared  his  ship  for 
action,  and  endeavoured  to  get  a  spring  on  his  cable,  which 
he  could  not  accomplish  before  the  enemy  commenced 
the  attack,  at  fifty-four  minutes  past  three. 

"  At  first  the  Phoebe  placed  herself  on  his  stern,  and  the 
Cherub  on  his  larboard  bow  ;  but  the  latter  soon  finding 
herself  exposed  to  a  hot  fire,  changed  her  position,  and 
with  her  consort,  kept  up  a  raking  fire  under  his  stern. 
The  American,  being  unable  to  bring  his  broadside  to 
bear  on  the  enemy,  his  spring  cables  having  been  three 
times  shot  away,  was  obliged,  therefore,  to  rely  for  de- 
fence against  this  tremendous  attack,  on  three  long  twelve 
pounders,  which  he  ran  out  of  the  stern  ports,  which  were 
worked  with  such  bravery  and  skill,  as  in  half  an  hour  to 
do  so  much  injury  to  the  enemy,  as  to  compel  them  to 
haul  off  and  repair. 

"It  was  evident  that  Commodore  Hillya?r  meant  to  risk 
nothing  from  the  daring  courage  of  the  Americans  ;  all 
his  manoeuvres  were  deliberate  and  wary;  his  antagonist 
was  in  his  power,  and  his  only  concern  was  to  succeed 
with  as  little  loss  to  himself  as  possible.  The  situation 
of  the  Essex  was  most  vexatious  to  our  brave  countrymen; 
many  of  whom  were  already  killed  and  wounded,  and 
from  the  crippled  state  of  their  ship,  they  were  unable  to 
bring  her  guns  to  bear  upon  the  enemy.  Her  gallant 
crew  were  not  disheartened  ;  aroused  to  desperation,  they 
expressed  their  defiance  to  the  enemy,  and  their  determi- 
nation to  hold  out  to  the  last. 

"  The  enemy  having  repaired,  now  placed  himself,  with 
both  ships,  on  the  starboard  quarter  of  the  Essex,  where 
none  of  her  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear ;  the  commo- 
dore saw  no  hope  but  in  getting  under  way ;  the  flying- 
jib  was  the  only  sail  he  could  set ;  this  he  caused  to  be 
hoisted,  cut  his  cable,  and  ran  down  on  both  ships,  with 
the  intention  of  laying  the  Phoebe  on  board.  For  a  short 
time  he  was  enabled  to  close  with  the  enemy,  and  the  fir- 
ing was  tremendous  !  the  decks  of  the  Essex  were  strewed 
with  dead,  and  her  cockpit  filled  with  the  wounded ;  she 
had  been  several  times  on  fire,  and  was,  in  fact,  a  perfect 
wreck. 

24 


278  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

"  At  this  moment,  a  feeble  hope  arose,  that  she  might 
still  be  saved,  in  consequence  of  the  Cherub  being  com- 
pelled to  haul  off  on  account  of  their  crippled  state  ;  she, 
however,  kept  up  her  fire  at  a  distance  with  her  long  guns. 
The  Essex  was  unable,  however,  to  take  advantage  of 
the  circumstance,  as  the  Phoebe  edged  off,  and  also  kept 
up,  at  a  distance,  a  destructive  fire ;  the  former  being 
totally  bereft  of  her  sails,  could  not  bring  her  to  close 
quarters. 

"  Commodore  Porter,  finding  the  greater  part  of  his  crew 
disabled,  at  last  gave  up  all  hope,  and  attempted  to  run 
his  vessel  on  shore,  the  wind  at  that  moment  favouring 
his  design ;  but  it  suddenly  changed,  drove  her  close  upon 
the  Phoebe,  exposing  her  to  a  raking  fire.  The  ship  was 
totally  unmanageable,  but  as  she  drifted  with  her  head  to 
the  enemy,  Commodore  Porter  again  seized  a  faint  hope 
of  being  able  to  board.  At  this  moment  Lieutenant  Dovvnes 
came  on  board  to  receive  orders,  expecting  that  his  com- 
mander would  soon  be  a  prisoner.  His  services  could  be 
of  no  avail  in  the  present  deplorable  state  of  the  Essex, 
and  finding  from  the  enemy's  putting 'up  his  helm,  that 
the  last  attempt  at  boarding  would  not  succeed,  Downes 
was  directed  to  repair  to  his  ship,  to  be  prepared  for  de- 
fending and  destroying  her,  in  case  of  an  attack. 

"  The  slaughter  on  board  the  Essex  now  became  horri- 
ble, the  enemy  continuing  to  rake  her  while  she  was  una- 
ble to  bring  a  single  gun  to  bear.  Still  her  commander 
refused  to  yield  while  a  ray  of  hope  appeared.  Every 
expedient,  that  a  fertile  and  inventive  genius  could  sug- 
gest, was  resorted  to,  in  the  forlorn  hope,  that  he  might 
be  able,  by  some  lucky  chance,  to  escape  from  the  grasp 
of  the  foe.  A  hawser  was  bent  to  the  sheet  anchor,  and 
the  anchor  cut  from  the  bows,  to  bring  the  ship's  head 
around.  This  succeeded;  the  broadside  of  the  Essex 
was  again  brought  to  bear ;  and,  as  the  enemy  was  much 
crippled,  and  unable  to  hold  his  own,  the  commodore 
thought  she  might  drift  out  of  gunshot  before  he  disco- 
vered that  the  Essex  had  anchored ;  but,  alas !  this  last 
expedient  failed ;  the  hawser  parted,  and  with  it  went  the 
last  lingering  hope  of  the  Essex. 

"  At  this  moment  her  situation  was  awful  beyond  descrip- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  279 

tion.  She  was  on  fire  both  before  and  aft,  the  flames 
were  bursting  up  her  hatchway,  a  quantity  of  powder  ex- 
ploded below,  and  word  was  given  that  fire  was  near  her 
magazine.  Thus  surrounded  by  horrors,  without  any 
chance  of  saving  his  ship,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the 
saving  as  many  of  his  gallant  companions  as  he  could ; 
the  distance  to  the  shore  not  exceeding  three  quarters  of  a 
mile,  he  hoped  that  many  of  them  would  save  themselves 
before  the  ship  blew  up.  His  boats  being  cut  up,  they 
could  only  hope  to  escape  by  swimming ;  by  some  this 
was  effected,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  generous  crew 
resolved  to  stay  by  the  ship,  and  share  the  fate  of  their 
commander. 

"  They  now  laboured  to  extinguish  the  flames  and  suc- 
ceeded ;  after  this,  they  again  repaired  to  their  guns,  but 
their  strength  had  become  so  much  exhausted,  that  this 
effort  was  in  vain.  Commodore  Porter  summoned  a  con- 
sultation of  the  officers  of  the  divisions,  when,  to  his  as- 
tonishment, only  one  acting  Lieutenant,  Stephen  Deca- 
tur  M'Nighi,  appeared.  The  accounts  from  every  pa*t  of 
the  ship  were  deplorable  indeed ;  she  was  in  imminent 
danger  of  sinking,  and  so  crowded  with  the  wounded, 
that  even  her  birthdeck  could  hold  no  more,  and  several 
were  killed  under  the  surgeon's  hands.  In  the  mean  time, 
the  enemy,  at  a  secure  distance,  continued  his  fire ;  the 
water  having  become  smooth,  he  struck  the  hull  of  the 
Essex  at  every  shot. 

"  At  last,  despairing  of  saving  his  ship,  the  commodore 
was  compelled,  at  twenty  minutes  past  six,  to  give  the 
painful  orders  to  strike  the  colours.  The  enemy,  proba- 
bly not  seeing  that  this  had  taken  place,  continued  to  fire 
for  ten  minutes  after,  and  Porter  was  about  to  give  orders 
that  the  colours  should  again  be  hoisted,  under  a  belief 
that  the  enemy  intended  to  give  no  quarters,  when  the 
firing  ceased.  The  loss  on  board  the  Essex  was  fifty-eight 
killed,  thirty-nine  wounded  severely,  twenty-seven  slightly, 
and  thirty-one  missing.  The  loss  on  board  the  British 
vessels  was  five  killed  and  ten  wounded  ;  but  they  were 
both  much  cut  up  in  their  hulls  and  rigging  ;  the  Phoebe 
could  scarcely  be  kept  afloat  until  she  anchored  in  the 
port  of  Valparaiso  next  morning. 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

"  Commodore  Porter  was  paroled,  and  permitted  to  re- 
turn to  the  United  States  in  the  Essex  Junior,  which  was 
converted  into  a  cartel  for  the  purpose.  On  arriving  off 
the  port  of  New-York,  the  vessel  was  detained  by  the 
Saturn  razee,  and,  to  the  disgrace  of  the  British  navy,  al- 
ready dishonoured  by  the  base  attack  upon  this  gallant 
officer,  he  was  compelled  to  give  up  his  parole,  and  de- 
clare himself  a  prisoner  of  war,  and,  as  such,  he  inform- 
ed the  British  officer  that  he  would  attempt  his  escape. 
In  consequence  of  this  threat,  the  Essex  Junior  was  or- 
dered to  remain  under  the  lee  of  the  Saturn ;  but  the 
next  morning  Commodore  Porter  put  off  in  his  boat, 
though  thirty  miles  from  shore,  and  notwithstanding  the 
pursuit  by  those  of  the  Saturn,  arrived  safely  in  New- 
York."* 

In  the  spring  of  1814,  Commodore  Barney  took  the 
command  of  a  small  flotilla  of  gunboats,  to  protect  the 
inlets  and  small  rivers  that  fall  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 
About  the  1st  of  June,  the  enemy  entered  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  and  renewed  their  ravages,  with  greater  seve- 
rity than  they  had  done  the  last  year.  Sharp  and  frequent 
rencounters  took  place,  upon  the  water,  and  upon  the 
land  ;  but  the  enemy  succeeded  in  laying  waste  the  coun- 
try, and  carrying  off  the  negroes,  through  the  month  of 
June  and  July. 

In  the  midst  of  the  various  occurrences  of  the  war,  on 
the  northern  frontier,  on  the  sea-board,  and  on  the  ocean, 
important  preparations  were  making  to  the  westward; 
and,  although  the  spring  and  summer  had  passed  away 
without  any  incident  in  this  quarter  worthy  of  being  re- 
corded, they  had  not  passed  inactive.  The  general  atten- 
tion was  now  turned  towards  it  with  much  anxiety,  and 
the  armies  of  the  Niagara  and  St.  Lawrence  remained 
almost  with  folded  arms,  awaiting  the  issue  of  Harrison's 
campaign,  and  the  result  of  the  contest  for  the  mastership 
of  Lake  Erie. 

The  British,  aware  of  the  consequence  of  a  defeat,  had, 
with  great  assiduity,  laboured  to  strengthen  themselves. 
The  reinforcements  continually  arriving  at  Fort  George, 

*  Brackenridge. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  281 

were  evidently  destined  to  follow  up  the  advantages  which 
Proctor  might  gain,  in  conjunction  with  the  commander 
on  the  lake.  In  the  meanwhile,  in  the  neighbouring  states 
of  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  the  people  were  excited  in  a  most 
surprising  degree  ;  had  it  been  necessary,  they  would  have 
risen  en  masse ;  almost  every  man  capable  of  bearing  a 
musket,  uas  anxious  to  march.  The  governor  of  Ohio 
had  scarcely  issued  his  proclamation,  calling  on  volun 
teers,  (for  the  obligations  of  law  to  render  military  ser- 
vice were  no  longer  thought  of,)  than  fifteen  thousand 
men  presented  themselves,  completely  armed  and  equip- 
ped— more  than  five  times  the  number  required. 

The  venerable  governor  of  Kentucky,  Shelby,  a  revo- 
lutionary her*-,  and  the  Nestor  of  the  present  war,  made 
it  known  that  I- e  would  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  in- 
jured citizens  of  that  state,  and  lead  them  to  seek  revenge 
for  the  murder  of  their  relatives  and  friends,  but  limited 
the  number  of  Vvdunteers  to  four  thousand.  The  state  01 
Kentucky,  called  by  the  natives,  "  the  dark  and  bloody 
ground,"  forty  years  ago  was  an  uninhabited  forest,  pos- 
sessed by  no  tribe  of  Indians,  but,  from  time  immemorial, 
the  theatre  of  sanguinary  wars.  At  this  day,  it  blooms 
beneath  the  hand  on  agriculture,  it  is  filled  with  beautiful 
towns  and  villages,  and  is  the  abode  of  peace,  opulence, 
and  refinement.  The  inhabitants  are  descended  from  the 
planters  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  and  emigrants, 
composed  of  the  enterprising  and  intelligent  of  the  other 
states. 

Living  in  abundance,  and  at  their  ease,  and  more  remote 
from  the  seats  of  commerce,  they  have  imbibed  less  of 
foreign  attachments  or  feelings  than  any  of  our  people, 
and  are,  perhaps,  more  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the 
institutions  of  freedom.  They  have  not  a  little  of  the 
manners  of  chivalry  in  their  generous  and  hospitable  de- 
portment. Fearless  of  danger,  regarding  dishonour  more 
than  death,  but,  with  these  qualities,  a  benevolence  and 
humanity  which  has  scarcely  a  parallel.  Had  the  elder 
brethren  of  this  confederacy  acted  like  this  younger  mem- 
ber, the  Cailadas  would  have  been  ours,  and  Britain  would 
never  have  dared  to  insult  us  with  her  unwarrantable  pre- 
tensions. 

24* 


282  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

The  transactions  which  are  now  to  be  related,  may 
justly  rank  amongst  the  most  pleasing  to  our  feelings  and 
national  pride,  of  any  which  took  place  during  the  con- 
test. The  campaign  opened  with  an  affair,  which,  though 
comparatively  of  smaller  consequence  than  some  others, 
is,  in  its  circumstances,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  that  occur- 
red during  the  war.  This  was  the  unparalleled  defence  ot 
Fort  Sandusky,  by  a  youth  of  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
In  August,  and  before  the  arrival  of  the  Ohio  and  Ken- 
tucky volunteers,  which  did  not  take  place  until  the  fol- 
lowing month,  threatening  movements  had  been  made 
upon  all  the  different  forts  established  by  the  Americans 
on  the  rivers  which  fall  into  Lake  Erie.  After  the  siege 
of  Fort  Meigs,  the  British  had  been  considerably  rein- 
forced by  regulars,  and  an  unusual  number  of  Indians, 
under  their  great  leader  Tecumseh.  It  was  all  important 
to  reduce  these  forts  before  the  arrival  of  the  volunteers. 

Major  Croghan,  then  commanding  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
having  received  intimation  that  the  enemy  were  about  to 
invest  the  fort  of  Lower  Sandusky,  had  marched  to  this 
place  with  some  additional  force,  and  had  been  occupied 
with  great  assiduity  in  placing  it  in  the  best  posture  of 
defence.  But  the  only  addition  of  importance  which  the 
time  would  allow  him  to  make,  was  a  ditch  of  six  feet 
deep,  and  nine  feet  wide,  outside  the  stockade  of  pickets, 
by  which  these  hastily  constructed  forts  are  enclosed,  but 
which  can  afford  but  a  weak  defence  against  artillery.  He 
had  but  one  six  pounder,  and  about  one  hundred  and 
sixty  men,  consisting  of  regulars,  and  detachments  of  the 
Pittsburgh  and  Petersbiirgh  volunteers.  General  Harri- 
son, not  conceiving  it  practicable  to  defend  the  place,  or- 
dered young  Croghan  to  retire  on  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  after  having  destroyed  the  works.  This,  our 
young  hero,  taking  the  responsibility  upon  himself,  deter- 
mined to  disobey. 

On  the  first  of  August,  General  Proctor,  having  left  a 
large  body  of  Indians,  under  Tecumseh,  to  keep  up  the 
appearance  of  a  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  arrived  at  Sandusky 
with  about  five  hundred  regulars,  seven  hundred  Indians, 
and  some  gun-boats.  After  the  general  had  made  such 
dispositions  of  his  troops  as  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  383 

garrison,  he  sent  a  flag  by  Colonel  Elliot  and  Major  Cham- 
bers, demanding  a  surrender,  accompanied  with  the  usual 
base  and  detestable  threats  of  butchery  and  cold  blood 
massacre,  if  the  garrison  should  hold  out.  A  spirited 
answer  was  returned  by  Croghan,  who  found  that  all  his 
companions,  chiefly  striplings  like  himself,  would  sup- 
port him  to  the  last. 

When  the  flag  returned,  a  brisk  fire  was  opened  from 
the  gun-boats  and  howitzer,  and  which  was  kept  up  du- 
ring the  night.  In  the  morning,  they  opened  with  three 
sixes,  which  had  been  planted  under  cover  of  the  night, 
within  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  pickets,  but  not 
with  much  effect.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  it 
was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had  concentrated  his  fire 
against  the  northwest  angle,  with  the  intention  of  making 
a  breach.  This  part  was  immediately  strengthened  by 
the  apposition  of  bags  of  flour  and  sand,  so  that  the  pick- 
ets suffered  but  little  injury.  During  this  time,  the  six 
pounder  was  carefully  concealed  in  the  bastion,  which 
covered  the  point  to  be  assailed,  and  it  was  loaded  with 
slugs  and  grape. 

About  five  hundred  of  the  enemy  now  advanced  in 
close  column  to  assail  the  part  where  it  was  supposed  the 
pickets  must  have  been  injured  :  at  the  same  time  making 
several  feints,  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  besieged  to 
other  parts  of  the  fort.  Their  force,  being  thus  divided, 
a  column  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men,  which  were  so 
enveloped  in  smoke  as  not  to  be  seen  until  they  approach- 
ed within  twenty  paces  of  the  lines,  advanced  rapidly  to 
the  assault.  A  fire  of  musketry  from  the  fort,  for  a  mo- 
ment threw  them  into  confusion,  but  they  were  quickly 
rallied  by  Colonel  Short,  their  commander,  who,  now 
springing  over  the  outer  works  into  the  ditch,  command- 
ed the  rest  to  follow,  crying  out,  "  give  the  d d  Yan- 
kees no  quarter  ?"  Scarcely  had  these  detestable  words 
escaped  his  lips,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  followers  land- 
ed in  the  ditch,  when  the  six  pounder  opened  iipon  them 
a  most  destructive  fire,  killing  and  wounding  the  greater 
part,  and  amongst  the  first  the  wretched  leader,  who  was 
sent  into  eternity  before  his  words  had  died  upon  the  air. 


284  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

A  volley  of  musketry  was,  at  the  same  time,  fired  up-^n 
those  who  had  not  ventured. 

The  officer  who  succeeded  Short,  exasperated  at  being 
thus  treated  by  a  few  boys,  formed  his  broken  column,  and 
again  rushed  to  the  ditch,  where  he,  and  those  who  dared 
to  follow  him,  met  with  the  same  fate  as  their  fellow  sol- 
diers. The  small  arms  were  again  played  on  them — the 
whole  British  force  was  thrown  into  confusion ;  and,  in 
spite  of  the  exertions  of  their  officers,  fled  to  the  woods, 
almost  panic  struck,  whither  they  were  soon  followed  by 
the  Indians.  Thus  were  these  men,  confident  of  success, 
and  detestable  in  the  intended  use  of  victory,  most  sig- 
nally chastised,  under  Providence,  by  a  force  scarce  a 
tenth  of  their  numbers.  Terror  indescribable  took  pos- 
session of*  the  assailants,  and  they  retreated  towards  their 
boats,  scarcely  daring  to  cast  their  eyes  towards  the  fatal 
spot,  while  they  were  followed  by  their  allies  in  sullen 
silence. 

If  this  gallant  defence  deserves  the  applause  of  the 
brave,  the  subsequent  conduct  of  the  besieged  deserves 
the  praise  of  every  friend  of  humanity.  The  scene 
which  now  ensued,  deserves  to  be  denominated  sublime. 
The  little  band,  forgetting  in  a  moment  that  they  had  been 
assailed  by  merciless  foes,  who  sought  to  massacre  them, 
without  regarding  the  laws  of  honourable  war,  now  felt 
only  the  desire  of  relieving  wounded  men,  and  of  admi- 
nistering comfort  to  the  wretched.  Had  they  been  friends, 
had  they  been  brothers,  they  could  not  have  experienced 
a  more  tender  solicitude. 

The  whole  night  was  occupied  in  endeavouring  to  as- 
suage their  sufferings;  provisions  and  buckets  of  water 
were  handed  over  the  pickets,  and  an  opening  was  made, 
by  which  many  of  the  sufferers  were  taken  in,  who  were 
immediately  supplied  with  surgical  aid ;  and  this,  although 
a  firing  was  kept  up  with  small  arms  by  the  enemy,  until 
some  time  in  the  night.  The  loss  of  the  garrison  amount- 
ed to  one  killed  and  seven  wounded  ;  that  of  the  enemy, 
it  is  supposed,  to  be  at  least  two  hundred.  Upwards  of 
fifty  were  found  in  and  about  the  ditch.  It  was  discovered 
next  morning,  that  the  enemy  had  hastily  retreated,  leav- 
ing a  boat,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  military  stores 


THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Upwards  of  seventy  stand  of  arms  were  taken,  besides  a 
quantity  of  ammunition.  The  Americans  were  engaged 
during  the  day,  in  burying  Jthe  dead  with  the  honours  4?f 
war,  and  providing  for  the  wounded. 

This  exploit  called  forth  the  admiration  of  every  party 
in  the  United  States.  Croghan,  together  with  his  compa- 
nions, Captain  Hunter,  and  Lieutenants  Johnson,  Bayley, 
and  Meeks,  of  the  seventeenth ;  Anthony,  of  the  twenty- 
fourth  ;  and  ensigns  Ship  and  Duncan,  of  the  seventeenth, 
together  with  the  other  oflicers  and  volunteers,  were 
highly  complimented  by  the  general.  They  afterwards 
received  the  thanks  of  Congress.  Croghan  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and  presented  with  an 
elegant  sword  by  the  ladies  of  Chilicothe. 

Soon  after  this  affair,  Tecumseh  raised  the  siege  of  fort 
Meigs,  and  followed  Proctor  to  Detroit ;  all  hope  was  now 
given  up  by  the  enemy  of  reducing  these  forts,  until  they 
could  gain  the  ascendency  on  the  lake. 

The  utmost  exertions  had  been  made  in  the  meanwhile 
by  Captain  Perry,  to  complete  the  naval  armament  on 
Lake  Erie.  By  the  4th  of  August,  the  fleet  was  completed ; 
but  several  of  the  vessels  were  with  difficulty  got  over  the 
bar,  on  which  there  are  but  five  feet  water.  He  sailed  in 
quest  of  the  enemy,  but  not  meeting  him,  returned  on  the 
8th,  and  after  receiving  a  reinforcement  of  sailors,  brought 
by  Captain  Elliot,  sailed  again  on  the  12th,  and  on  the  15th 
anchored  in  the  bay  of  Sandusky.  Here,  after  taking  in 
about  twenty  volunteer  marines,  he  again  went  in  quest 
of  the  enemy ;  and  after  cruising  off  Maiden,  returned  to 
Put-in-bay,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles. 

His  fleet  consisted  of  the  brig  Lawrence,  of  20  guns  ; 
the  Niagara,  Captain  Elliot,  of  twenty  ;  the  Caledonia, 
Lieutenant  Turner,  three  ;    the  schooner  Ariel,  of  four 
the  Scorpion,  of  two ;  the  Somers  of  two,  and  two  swivels 
the  sloop  Trippe,  and  schooners  Tygress  and  Porcupine, 
of  one  gun  each ;  making  a  lleet  of  nine  vessels  and  fifty- 
four  guns.     On  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  September,  the 
enemy  was  discovered  bearing  down  upon  the  American 
squadron,  which  immediately  got  under  weigh,  and  stood 
out  to  meet  him. 

Superiority  was  decidedly  in  favour  of  the  British  ;  the 


286  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

*  Americans  had  three  more  vessels,  but  this  was  much 
more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  size  of  those  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  number  of  their  guns.  Their  fleet  con- 
sisted of  the  Detroit,  Captain  Barclay,  of  nineteen  guns, 
and  two  howitzers ;  the  Queen  Charlotte,  of  seventeen 
guns,  Captain  Finnis ;  the  schooner  Lady  Provost,  Lieu- 
tenant Buchan,  of  thirteen  guns,  and  two  howitzers ;  the 
brig  Hunter,  of  ten  guns  ;  the  sloop  Little  Belt,  of  three  ; 
and  the  schooner  Chippewa,  of  one  gun  and  two  swivels; 
in  all,  six  vessels  and  sixty-three  guns. 

When  the  Americans  stood  out,  the  British  fleet  had 
the  weather  gage  ;  but  the  wind  soon  after  changed,  and 
brought  the  American  fleet  to  windward.  The  line  of 
battle  was  formed  at  eleven,  and  fifteen  minutes  before 
twelve,  the  enemy's  flag  ship,  the  Queen  Charlotte,  open- 
ed her  fire  upon  the  Lawrence,  which  she  sustained  for 
ten  minutes,  before  she  could  approach  near  enough  for 
her  carronades  to  return.  She  therefore  bore  up,  ma- 
king signals  for  the  other  vessels  to  hasten  to  her  sup- 
port, and  about  twelve,  brought  her  guns  to  bear  upon 
the  enemy. 

Unfortunately,  the  wind  being  too  light,  the  remainder 
of  the  squadron  could  not  be  brought  up  to  her  assistance, 
and  she  was  compelled  to  contend,  for  two  hours,  with 
two  ships  of  equal  force.  The  contest  was,  notwithstand- 
ing, kept  up  with  unshaken  courage,  and  a  degree  of  cool- 
ness which  deserves  admiration.  By  this  time  the  brig, 
which  had  so  long  borne  the  brunt  of  the  whole  of 
the  British  force,  had  become  entirely  unmanageable ; 
every  gun  was  dismounted,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
four  or  five,  her  whole  crew  either  killed  or  wounded. 
Perry  now,  with  admirable  presence  of  mind,  and  which 
drew  forth  the  praise  of  the  gallant  officer  to  whom  he 
was  opposed,  resolved  to  shift  his  flag,  leaped  into  his 
boat,  and  heroically  waving  his  sword,  passed  unhurt  to 
the  Niagara. 

At  the  moment  he  reached  the  Niagara,  he  saw  with 
anguish  the  flag  of  his  ship  come  down ;  she  was  utterly 
unable  to  make  further  resistance,  and  it  would  have  been 
a  wanton  waste  of  the  remaining  lives  to  continue  the 
contest ;  the  enemy  was  not  able  to  take  possession  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  387 

her.  Captain  Elliot,  seconding  the  design  of  the  com- 
modore, volunteered  to  bring  up  the  rest  of  the  fleet ;  for 
at  this  critical  moment  the  wind  had  providentially  in- 
creased. Perry  now  bore  down  upon  the  enemy  with  a 
fresh  ship ;  and  passing  ahead  of  the  Detroit,  Queen 
Charlotte,  and  Lady  Provost,  poured  a  destructive  broad- 
side into  each  from  his  starboard,  and  from  his  larboard 
into  the  Chippewa  and  Little  Belt.  In  this  manner,  cut- 
Jng  through  the  line,  he  was  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
Lady  Provost,  which  received  so  heavy  a  fire  as  to  com- 
pel her  men  to  run  below.  At  this  moment  the  Caledo- 
nia came  up,  and  opened  her  fire ;  several  others  of  the 
squadron  were  enabled  soon  after  to  do  the  same.  For  a 
time,  this  novel  and  important  combat  mingled  with  in- 
describable violence  and  fury. 

The  issue  of  a  campaign,  the  mastery  of  a  sea,  the  glory 
and  renown  of  two  rival  nations,  matched  for  the  first 
time  in  squadron,  were  the  incentives  to  the  contest.  But 
it  was  not  long  before  the  scale  turned  in  favour  of  Perry, 
and  his  ship,  the  Lawrence,  was  again  enabled  to  hoist 
her  flag.  The  Queen  Charlotte,  having  lost  her  captain 
and  all  her  principal  officers,  by  some  mischance  ran  foul 
of  the  Detroit,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  guns  of  both 
ships  were  rendered  useless.  They  were  now  compelled  to 
sustain,  in  turn,  an  incessant  fire  from  the  Niagara,  and 
the  other  vessels  oi  the  squadron.  The  flag  of  Captain 
Barclay  was  soon  after  struck,  and  those  of  the  Queen 
Charlotte,  the  Lady  Provost,  the  Hunter,  and  the  Chip- 
pewa,  came  down  in  succession ;  the  Little  Belt  attempt- 
ed to  escape,  but  was  pursued  by  two  gun  boats  and  cap- 
tured. 

Thus,  after  a  contest  of  three  hours,  was  this  unparal- 
leled naval  victory  achieved,  in  which  every  vessel  of  the 
enemy  was  captured,  the  first  occurrence  of  the  kind  ever 
recorded.  If  any  thing  could  heighten  this  glorious  vic- 
tory, it  was  the  modest  and  yet  sublime  manner  in  which 
it  was  announced  by  the  incomparable  Perry :  WE  HAVE 
MET  THE  ENEMY,  AND  THEY  ARE  OURS.  Britain  had  been 
beaten  in  single  combat — she  was  now  beaten  in  squad- 
ron, where  she  had  conceived  herself  invincible.  The 
loss  in  this  bloody  affair  was  very  great,  in  proportion  to 


288  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  numbers  engaged.  The  Americans  had  twenty-seven 
killed,  and  ninety-six  wounded  ;  amongst  the  first  were 
Lieutenant  Brooks,  of  the  marines,  and  Midshipman 
Laub ;  amongst  the  latter  were  Lieutenant  Yarnell,  sail- 
ing-master Taylor,  purser  Hamilton,  and  Midshipmen 
Claxton  and  Swartwout. 

The  loss  of  the  British  was  about  two  hundred  in  killed 
and  wounded  ;  and  the  number  of  prisoners  amounted  to 
six  hundred,  exceeding  the  whole  number  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. Commodore  Barclay,  a  gallant  officer,  who  had  lost 
an  arm  at  the  battle  of  Trafalgar,  was  severely  wounded, 
and  the  loss  of  officers,  on  the  side  of  the  British,  was 
unusually  great.  Among  the  officers  particularly  spoken 
of  on  this  occasion,  were  Captain  Elliot,  Lieutenants  Tur- 
ner, Edwards,  Forest,  Clark,  and  Cummings,  besides  these 
already  mentioned. 

The  victory  of  Commodore  Perry  left  the  Americans 
in  peaceable  possession  of  Lake  Eric,  but  Detroit  and 
Maiden  still  remained  in  possession  of  the  British.  The 
triumph  of  the  American  arms  seemed  to  unite  conflict- 
ing parties  ;  and  the  kindness  extended  to  the  British  cnp- 
tives,  reflected  the  brightest  glory  on  our  country.  But 
the  territory  still  occupied  by  the  enemy  was  to  be  reta- 
ken. For  the  accomplishment  of  this  purpose,  Colonc) 
Johnson,  with  a  body  of  his  faithful  Kentuckians,  were 
destined  to  act  against  Detroit,  and  General  Harrison  was 
to  march  against  Maiden. 

Finding  Maiden  untenable,  the  British  general  destroy- 
ed, and  then  evacuated  it.  On  the  2d  of  October,  Gene- 
ral Harrison,  with  about  3,500  men,  commenced  a  pur- 
suit, and  on  the  5th,  the  enemy  was  overtaken.  Colonel 
Johnson,  who  had  formed  a  junction  with  General  Harri- 
son, was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre  the  British  and  In- 
dian forces,  gave  intelligence  that  the  enemy  were  prepa- 
red for  action,  at  the  distance  of  a  few  miles.  On  their 
left  was  the  river,  and  their  right  consisting  of  Indians, 
under  Tecumseh,  rested  on  a  swamp. 

The  American  force  consisted  of  Ohio  militia,  and  four 
thousand  Kentuckians,  tne  flower  of  their  state,  com- 
manded by  Governor  Shelby,  who  arrived  at  the  camp  of 
Harrison,  on  t!»fi  7th  of  September.  When  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  23  J 

troops  approached  the  River  Raisin,  which  had  been  the 
scene  to  such  wanton  barbarities,  they  halted  to  contem- 
plate for  a  while  the  tragic  spot.  With  feelings  which 
language  must  fail  to  describe,  they  gathered  up  the  un- 
distinguishable  bones  of  friends  and  foes,  and  consigned 
them  to  one  common  grave,  with  affecting  demonstrations 
of  grief. 

The  enemy  was  drawn  up  under  cover  of  the  beech 
trees  by  which  the  narrow  strip  of  land  was  covered. 
The  Americans  were  soon  formed  in  battle  array.  Gene- 
ral Trotter's  brigade  formed  the  front  line,  supported  by 
Desha's  divisions  on  the  left.  The  brigade  of  General 
King  formed  the  second  line,  in  rear  of  General  Trotter's, 
and  Chile's  acted  as  a  corps  of  reserve,  both  under  the 
command  of  Major  General  Henry.  The  brigades  ave- 
raged five  hundred  men  each.  Governor  Shelby  occu* 
pied  the  angle  formed  by  the  brigades  of  Trotter  and 
Deslia.  The  regular  troops,  numbering  only  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men,  were  formed  into  columns,  and  oc- 
cupied the  narrow  space  between  the  river  and  the  road, 
for  the  purpose  of  seizing  the  artillery,  should  the  enemy 
be  repulsed.  The  order  of  General  Harrison  was,  to  form 
Colonel  Johnson's  mounted  men  in  two  lines,  in  front  of  the 
Indians,  but  the  underwood  being  too  close  for  cavalry  to 
be  effective,  he  determined  on  a  new  mode  of  attack. 

Knowing  the  dexterity  of  the  backwoodsmen  in  riding 
through  forests,  and  the  little  inconvenience  to  them  of 
carrying  their  rifles  in  such  a  situation,  he  determined  to 
refuse  his  left,  to  the  Indians,  and  charge  on  the  regulars 
drawn  up  among  the  beech  trees ;  the  mounted  regiment 
was  accordingly  drawn  up  in  front.  The  army  moved  on 
but  a  short  distance  in  this  way,  when  the  mounted  men 
received  the  enemy's  fire,  and  were  instantly  ordered  to 
charge.  The  horses  in  front  of  the  column  at  first  re 
coiled  from  the  fire,  but  soon  after  got  in  motion,  and  im- 
mediately at  full  speed  broke  through  the  enemy  with 
irresistible  force.  In  one  minute  the  contest  was  over  in 
front.  The  mounted  men  instantly  formed  in  the  rear, 
and  poured  a  destructive  fire,  and  were  about  to  make 
another  charge,  when  the  British  officers,  finding  it  impos- 
sible to  form  their  broken  ranks,  immediately  surrenderee! 


290  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Upon  the  left  the  onset  was  begun  by  Tecumseh  with 
great  fury.  Colonel  R.  M.  Johnson,  who  commanded  on 
that  flank  of  his  regiment,  received  a  galling  fire,  which 
he  returned  with  effect,  while  the  Indians  advanced  to- 
wards the  point  occupied  by  Governor  Shelby ;  and  at 
first  made  an  impression  on  it;  but  the  aged  warrior 
brought  a  regiment  to  its  support.  The  combat  now 
aged  with  increasing  fury ;  the  Indians,  to  the  numbei 
of  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred,  seemed  determined  to  main- 
tain their  ground  to  the  last.  • 

The  terrible  voice  of  Tecumseh  could  be  distinctly 
heard  encouraging  his  warriors ;  and  although  beset  on 
every  side,  excepting  on  that  of  the  morass,  they  fought 
with  more  determined  courage  than  had  ever  been  wit- 
nessed in  these  people.  An  incident  soon  occurred,  how- 
ever, which  decided  the  contest.  Colonel  Johnson  rush- 
ed towards  the  spot  where  the  warriors,  clustering  around 
their  undaunted  chief,  appeared  resolved  to  perish  by  his 
side ;  in  a  moment  a  hundred  rifles  were  aimed  at  the 
American,  whose  uniform,  and  white  horse  which  lie 
rode,  rendered  a  conspicuous  object ;  his  holsters,  dress, 
and  accoutrements,  were  pierced  with  bullets,  his  horse 
and  himself  receiving  a  number  of  wounds.  At  the  in- 
stant his  horse  was  about  to  sink  under  him,  the  daring 
Kentuckian,  covered  with  blood  from  his  wounds,  was 
discovered  by  Tecumseh  ;  the  chief  having  discharged  his 
rifle,  sprang  forward  with  his  tomahawk,  but  struck  with 
the  appearance  of  the  warrior  who  stood  before  him. 
hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  that  moment  was  his  last. 
The  Kentuckian  levelled  a  pistol  at  his  breast,  and  they 
both,  almost  at  the  same  instant,  fell  to  the  ground.  The 
Kentuckians  rushed  forward  to  the  rescue  of  their  leader, 
and  the  Indians,  no  longer  hearing  the  voice  of  Tecum- 
seh, soon  after  fled.  Near  the  spot  where  this  scene  oc- 
curred, thirty  Indians  were  found  dead,  and  six  whites. 

Thus  fell  Tecuinsen,  the  most  celebrated  Indian  war- 
rior that  ever  ra:se<4  the  tomanawk  against  us,  and  with 
him  fell  the  last  nope  of  our  Indian  enemies.  This 
mighty  warrior  was  the  determined  foe  of  civilization,  and 
had  for  years  been  labouring  to  unite  all  the  Indian  tribes 
in  opposing  the  progress  of  the  settlements  to  the  west- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  291 

ward.  Had  such  a  man  opposed  the  European  colonists 
on  their  first  arrival,  this  continent,  in  all  probability, 
would  still  have  been  a  wilderness.  To  those  who  pre- 
fer a  savage,  uncultivated  waste,  inhabited  by  wolves  and 
panthers,  and  by  men  more  savage  still,  to  the  busy  city, 
to  the  peaceful  hamlet  and  cottage,  to  science  and  the 
comforts  of  civilization,  to  such  it  may  be  a  source  of  re- 
gret that  Tccurnseh  came  too  late. 

But  if  the  cultivation  of  the  earth,  and  the  cultivation 
of  the  human  intellect  and  the  human  virtues,  are  agreea- 
ble in  the  sight  of  the  Creator,  it  maybe  a  just  cause  of 
felicitation  that  this  champion  of  barbarism  was  the  ally 
of  Great  Britain,  at  a  period  when  he  could  only  draw 
down  destruction  on  his  own  head,  by  savagely  daring 
what  was  beyond  his  strength.  But  Tecumseh  fell,  re- 
spected by  his  enemies  as  a  great  and  magnanimous  chief. 
Although  he  seldom  took  prisoners  in  battle,  he  treated 
well  those  that  had  been  taken  by  others ;  and  at  the  defeat 
of  Dudley,  actually  put  to  death  a  chief  whom  he  found  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  massacre.  He  had  been  in  almost 
every  engagement  with  the  whites  since  Harmer's  defeat, 
although,  at  his  death,  he  scarcely  exceeded  forty  years 
of  age. 

TecumseK  bad  received  the  stamp  of  greatness  from 
the  hand  of  nature  ,  and  had  his  lot  been  cast  in  a  differ- 
ent state  of  society,  he  would  have  shone  as  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  of  men.  He  was  endowed  with  a 
powerful  mind,  with  the  soul  of  a  hero.  There  was  ai_ 
uncommon  dignity  in  his  countenance  and  manners ;  by 
the  former  he  could  be  easily  discovered  even  after  death, 
among  the  rest  of  the  slain,  for  he  wore  no  insignia  of 
distinction.  When  girded  with  a  silk  sash,  and  told  by 
General  Proctor  that  he  was  made  a  brigadier  in  the  Bri- 
tish service,  for  his  conduct  atBrownstown  and  Magagua, 
he  returned  the  present  with  respectful  contempt.  Born 
with  no  title  to  command  but  his  native  greatness,  every 
tribe  yielded  submission  to  him  at  once,  and  no  one  ever 
disputed  his  precedence.  Subtle  and  fierce  in  war,  he 
possessed  uncommon  eloquence, — his  speeches  might  bear 
a  comparison  with  those  of  the  most  celebrated  orators  of 
Greece  and  Rome.  His  invective  was  terrible,  as  we  had 


292  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

frequent  occasion  to  experience,  and  as  may  be  seen  in 
the  reproaches  which  he  applied  to  Proctor,  a  few  days 
before  his  death,  in  a  speech  which  was  found  amongst 
the  papers  of  the  British  officers.  His  form  was  uncom- 
monly elegant,  his  stature  about  six  feet,  his  limbs  per- 
fectly proportioned.  He  was  honourably  interred  by  the 
victors,  by  whom  he  was  held  in  much  respect,  as  an  in- 
veterate, but  a  magnanimous  enemy. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  this  engagement,  was 
more  than  fifty  killed  and  wounded,  among  whom  was 
Colonel  Whitely,  a  revolutionary  soldier,  killed.  The  loss 
of  the  British  was  nineteen  killed,  and  fifty  wounded.  Six 
hundred  were  taken  prisoners ;  of  the  Indians,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  were  left  on  the  field.  Several  pieces  of 
cannon,  taken  in  the  revolution,  and  which  had  been  sur- 
rendered by  General  Hull,  were  trophies  of  this  victory. 
General  Proctor  fled  when  the  charge  was  made,  and  es- 
caped down  the  Thames,  by  means  of  fleet  horses,  though 
closely  pursued.  His  carriage,  together  with  his  private 
papers,  was  left  in  his  haste  to  retreat. 

The  time  was  now  come,  which  would  prove  whether 
the  stigma  past  upon  the  chivalrous  people  of  Kentucky, 
by  the  infamous  Proctor,  in  order  that  his  own  atrocious 
conduct  might  escape  notice,  was  founded  in  truth.  It 
was  now  seen  whether,  to  use  the  words  of  this  monster, 
they  were  a  **  ferocious  and  mortal  foe,  using  the  same 
mode  of  warfare  with  the  allies  of  Britain."  The  recol- 
lection of  the  affair  of  the  River  Raisin  might  have  justi- 
fied revenge  :  and  what  is  more,  the  instruments  who 
perpetrated  those  horrid  deeds  were  now  at  their  dispo- 
sal ;  bereft  of  hope  by  this  signal  defeat,  and  the  loss  of 
their  great  leader,  the  savages  sued  for  peace  ;  and  as  an 
earnest  of  their  sincerity,  offered  to  raise  their  toma- 
hawks on  the  side  of  the  United  States,  and  to  inflict 
upon  the  British  prisoners,  the  same  abominable  cruellies 
they  had  practised  on  the  Americans. 

But  the  Kentuckians,  to  their  honour,  far  from  giving 
way  to  the  passions  of  revenge,  forebore  even  a  word,  or 
look  of  insult ;  there  was  not  even  an  allusion  to  the 
murder  of  their  brothers  and  friends ;  the  prisoners  were 
distributed  in  small  parties,  in  the  interior  towns,  and  al 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  293 

though  extremely  insulting  in  their  deportment,  were  not 
merely  treated  with  humanity,  but  in  many  places  actually 
caressed  and  fed  with  dainties  by  the  compassionate  inha- 
bitants. This  treatment  was  carried  to  an  excess,  which 
might  properly  deserve  the  name  of  folly,  were  it  not  a 
noble  mode  of  revenge  for  what  our  countrymen  at  that 
moment  endured  in  the  British  dungeons  on  the  land, 
and  in  the  floating  prisons  on  the  sea,  where  they  under- 
went every  species  of  distress,  wretchedness,  and  torture. 

The  Indian  war  now  ceased,  and  our  frontier  rested  in 
security.  Most  of  the  volunteers  returned  home.  Gene- 
ral Harrison  stationed  General  Cass  at  Detroit,  with 
about  one  thousand  men,  and  proceeded  with  the  remain- 
der to  join  the  central  army  at  Buffalo.  About  this  time, 
at  the  request  of  General  Vincent,  a  correspondence  was 
opened  between  him  and  General  Harrison,  relative  to 
the  treatment  of  the  British  prisoners.  After  assuring 
the  British  general  that  the  request  to  treat  his  prisoners 
with  humanity,  was  unnecessary,  he  referred  him  to  the 
treatment  experienced  by  American  captives,  and  referred 
him  to  the  scenes  which  had  transpired  at  the  River  Rai- 
sin, the  Miami,  others  of  a  similar  complexion,  and  wish- 
ed to  be  informed  whether  the  Indians  should  be  permit- 
ted to  repeat  those  cruelties.  His  words  are  worthy  of 
remembrance. 

"  Use,  then,  I  pray  yon,  your  authority  and  influence  to 
stop  the  dreadful  effusion  of  innocent  blood  which  pro- 
ceeds from  the  employment  of  those  savage  monsters, 
whose  aid,  as  must  now  be  discovered,  is  so  little  to  be 
depended  on  when  most  wanted,  and  which  can  have  so 
trifling  an  effect  on  the  issue  of  war.  The  effect  of  their 
barbarities  will  not  be  confined  to  the  present  generation. 
Ages  yet  to  come  will  feel  the  deep  rooted  hatred  and 
enmity  which  they  must  produce  between  the  two  na- 
tions." 

The  reply  of  General  Vincent  was  not  unlike  that  of 
Sir  Sidney  Beckwith,  vague  and  evasive.  He  expressed 
himself  perfectly  satisfied  on  the  score  of  the  treatment 
of  the  prisoners,  but,  with  respect  to  the  other  topics,  he 
declined  saying  any  thing ;  it  was  beyond  his  power  to 
give  an  explicit  answer;  but  he  pledged  his  honour,  that, 

25* 


294  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

to  the  iltmost  of  his  power,  he  would  join  with  General 
Harrison  in  alleviating- the  calamities  of  war.  Although 
General  Harrison  pledged  himself  to  produce  proofs  of 
every  thing  which  he  stated,  General  Vincent  chose  to  be 
silent  upon  the  subject;  neither  disavowing  that  such  acts 
*rere  sanctioned  by  the  British  government,  nor  calling 
the  truth  of  them  in  question. 

The  successes  of  the  northwestern  army,  and  the  vic- 
tory on  Lake  Erie,  prepared  the  way  for  the  invasion  of 
Canada.  A  more  formidable  force  was  collected  on  the 
frontier  than  heretofore,  under  more  experienced  officers, 
and  the  Indians  had  declared  against  the  enemy.  The 
public  mind  was  elated,  and  a  lit  opportunity  presented 
for  the  invasion  of  Canada. 

General  Armstrong  was  at  the  head  of  the  war  depart- 
ment, and  much  was  expected  from  his  experience  and 
zeal.  Improvements  were  introduced,  especially  in  the 
selection  of  officers.  The  secretary  proceeded  to  the 
northern  frontier  to  put  his  plans  into  operation.  The 
plan  was,  perhaps,  judicious,  but  the  season  was  too  far 
advanced  to  accomplish  his  intentions. 

General  Dearborn  resigned,  and  General  Wilkinson 
was  called  from  the  southern  army  to  supply  his  place. 
He  issued  an  order,  which  gave  general  satisfaction,  and 
much  was  expected  from  his  military  science.  The  force 
directly  under  his  command,  amounted  to  eight  thousand 
men,  and  he  expected  to  be  joined  in  October  by  the 
force  under  General  Harrison.  General  Hampton  com- 
manded about  four  thousand  men  at  Plattsburg.  The 
plan  was,  to  descend  the  St.  Lawrence,  pass  the  British 
posts  above,  form  a  junction  with  General  Hampton,  and 
invade  Montreal. 

The  army,  which  had  been  distributed  in  different 
corps,  and  stationed  at  various  points,  was  now  to  be  con- 
centrated at  some  place  most  convenient  for  its  embarka- 
tion. For  this  purpose  Grenadier's  Island,  which  lies  be- 
tween Sackett's  Harbour  and  Kingston,  was  selected  on 
account  of  its  contiguity  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  as  the  most 
proper  place  of  rendezvous.  On  the  second  of  October, 
General  Wilkinson  left  Fort  George,  with  the  principal 
body  of  the  troops,  and  'soon  reached  the  island,  wrhere 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  295 

he  occupied  himself  incessantly  in  making  the  necessary 
preparations  for  the  prosecution  of  his  enterprise.  He 
several  times  visited  Sackett's  Harbour,  at  which  place 
the  troops  first  arrived,  and,  after  receiving  their  neces- 
sary supplies,  proceeded  to  the  place  of  rendezvous. 
Colonel  Scott,  whom  he  had  left  in  command  at  Fort 
George,  was  ordered  to  embark  with  his  regiment  of  ar- 
tillery, and  Colonel  Randolph's  infantry,  on  board  a  ves- 
sel of  the  squadron,  and  proceed  to  the  island.  Colonel 
Dennis  was  left  in  the  command  of  Sackett's  Harbour ; 
and  the  general  having  provided  a  sufficient  number  of 
boats  to  transport  the  artillery  through  the  St.  Lawrence, 
proceeded  to  put  the  troops  in  motion.  By  the  twenty- 
third,  the  troops  thus  collected  exceeded  seven  thousand 
men,  and  were  composed  of  Colonel  Porter's  light  artil- 
lery, g  few  companies  of  Colonel  Scott's  and  Macomb's 
regiments  of  artillery,  twelve  regiments  of  infantry,  and 
Forsythe's  rifle  corps. 

General  Brown,  now  a  brigadier  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  was  ordered  to  take  the  command  of  the 
advance  of  the  army  at  this  place.  On  the  first  of  No- 
vember, a  British  squadron  made  its  appearance  near 
French  Creek,  with  a  large  body  of  infantry;  a  battery 
of  three  eighteen  pounders,  skilfully  managed  by  Cap- 
tains M'Pherson  and  Fanning,  soon  forced  them  to  re- 
tire. The  attack  was  renewed  the  next  morning,  but 
with  no  better  success  ;  and  as  the  other  corps  of  the 
army  now  daily  arrived,  the  enemy  thought  proper  to 
move  off. 

On  the  sixth  the  army  was  put  in.  motion,  and  in  the 
evening  landed  a  few  miles  above  the  British  fort  Pres- 
cott.  After  reconnoitering  the  passage  at  this  place,  and 
finding  that  the  fort  commanded  the  river,  General  Wil 
kinson  directed  the  fixed  ammunition  to  be  transported 
by  land  to  a  safe  point  below,  and  determined  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  night  to  pass  with  the  flotilla,  while  the 
troops  were  marched  to  the  same  point,  leaving  on  board 
the  boats  merely  a  sufficient  number  to  navigate  them. 
Availing  himself  of  a  heavy  fog  which  came  on  in  the 
evening,  the  commander  endeavoured  to  pass  the  fort  un- 
observed ;  but,  the  weather  clearing  up,  and  the  moon 


296  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

shining,  he  was  discovered  by  the  enemy,  who  opened  a 
heavy  fire. 

General  Brown,  who  was  in  the  rear  with  the  flotilla, 
thought  it  prudent  to  land  for  the  present,  until  the  night 
should  grow  darker.  He  then  proceeded  down  the  river, 
but  not  without  being  discovered,  and  again  exposed  to  a 
severe  cannonade ;  notwithstanding  which,  not  one  of 
hree  hundred  boats  suffered  the  slightest  injury.  Before 
ten  o'clock  the  next  day,  they  had  all  safely  arrived  at  the 
place  of  destination.  A  messenger  was  now  despatched 
to  General  Hampton,  informing  him  of  the  movement  of 
the  army,  and  requiring  his  co-operation. 

The  enemy  having  discovered  the  design  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, determined  to  counteract  it.  Parties  were  posted 
where  they  could  annoy  our  boats  by  musket  shot,  and 
the  illness  of  the  commander  in  chief  augmented  ajarm- 
ingly. 

The  army  was  delayed  for  half  a  day  in  extricating 
two  schooners  loaded  with  provisions,  which  had  been 
driven  into  a  part  of  the  river  near  Ogdensburgh,  by 
the  enemy's  fire.  A  corps  d'elite  of  twelve  hundred 
men,  under  Colonel  Macomb,  being  despatched  to  re- 
move the  obstructions  to  the  descent  of  the  army,  at 
three  o'clock  he  was  followed  by  the  main  body.  On 
passing  the  first  rapids  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  barge  of 
the  commander  in  chief  was  assailed  by  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  but  without  any  other  injury  than  cutting  the 
rigging.  The  attention  of  the  enemy  was  soon  diverted 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Eustis,  who  returned  their  fire  from 
some  light  barges,  while  Major  Forsythe,  at  the  same 
time,  landed  some  of  his  riflemen,  attacked  them  unex- 
pectedly, and  carried  off  three  pieces  of  their  artillery. 
The  flotilla  came  to  about  six  miles  below,  and  the  dra- 
goons attached  to  the  first  divisions  of  the  enemy,  had 
been  collected  at  a  place  called  the  White  House,  at  a 
contraction  of  the  river ;  to  which  point  the  flotilla  was 
ordered  the  next  morning  to  proceed.  On  arriving  at 
this  place  on  the  eighth,  General  Brown  was  ordered  to 
go  forward  with  his  brigade,  to  reinforce  Colonel  Macomb, 
and  take  command  of  the  advance,  while  the  commander 
in  chief  directed  the  transportation  of  the  dragoons 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  297 

across  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  last  was  completed  during 
the  night. 

The  British  now  determined  to  harass  the  Americans. 
On  the  9th,  a  skirmish  occurred  between  .the  American 
riflemen  and  a  party  of  militia  and  Indians.  In  the  course 
of  the  day,  the  cavalry  and  four  pieces  of  artillery?  under 
Captain  M'Pherson,  were  ordered  to  clear  the  coast  as  far 
as  the  head  of  the  Longue  Saut ;  and  in  the  evening  the 
army  arrived  at  the  place  called  the  Yellow  House,  which 
stands  near  the  Saut.  As  the  passage  of  this  place  was 
attended  with  considerable  difficulty,  on  account  of  the 
rapidity  of  the  current  and  of  its  length,  it  was  deemed 
prudent  to  wait  until  the  next  day,  and  in  the  meanwhile 
it  became  necessary  to  use  the  utmost  precaution. 

On  the  morning  of  the  tenth,  General  Brown,  with  the 
troops  under  his  command,  excepting  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, and  the  second  regiment  of  dragoons,  was  ordered 
to  march  in  the  advance  of  the  army.  A  regard  for  the 
safety  of  the  men,  had  induced  the  commander  in  chief  to 
retain  as  few  of  the  troops  in  the  boats  as  possible,  on  ac- 
count of  the  exposure  to  which  they  would  be  subject,  in 
the  long  and  dangerous  passage  of  these  rapids,  and  where 
the  enemy  had  in  all  probability  established  batteries  for 
the  purpose  of  impeding  their  descent.  The  second  regi- 
ment of  dragoons,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  other 
brigades,  which  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  boats,  were 
ordered  to  follow,  under  General  Boyd,  the  steps  of  Ge- 
neral Brown,  to  prevent  the  enemy,  who  were  still  hang- 
ing on  the  rear  of  the  army,  from  making  any  advantageous 
attack. 

General  Brown  now  commenced  his  march  at  the  head 
of  his  troops,  consisting  principally  of  Colonel  Macomb's 
artillery,  and  a  part  of  Scott's  regiment  of  light  artillery, 
the  riflemen,  and  the  sixth,  fifteenth,  and  twenty-second 
regiments.  It  was  not  long  before  he  found  himself  en- 
gaged with  a  strong  party  at  a  block  house  near  the  Saut, 
which,  after  a  contest  of  a  few  minutes,  was  repulsed  by 
the  riflemen  under  Forsythe,  who  was  severely  wounded. 

About  the  same  time,  some  of  the  enemy's  galleys  ap- 
proached the  flotilla,  which  had  landed,  and  commenced  a 
fire  upon  it,  by  which  a  number  of  boats  were  injured ; 


298  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

two  eighteen  pounders,  however,  being  hastily  run  on 
shore,  a  fire  from  them  soon  compelled  the  assailants  to 
retire.  The  day  being  now  too  far  spent  to  attempt  the 
Saut,  it  was  resolved  to  postpone  it  until  the  day  fol- 
lowing. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  eleventh,  at  the  moment  that  the 
flotilla  was  about  to  proceed,  and  when,  at  the  same  time, 
the  division  under  General  Boyd,  consisting  of  his  own, 
and-  the  brigades  of  Generals  Covington  and  Swartwout, 
were  drawn  up  in  marching  order,  an  alarm  was  given, 
that  the  enemy  was  discovered  approaching  in  column. 
The  commander  in  chief  and  General  Lewis,  being  both 
too  much  indisposed  to  take  the  command,  General  Boyd 
was  ordered  to  face  about  and  attack  the  approaching  army. 

The  enemy's  galleys  had  at  the  same  time  approached 
for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  rear  of  the  American  flo- 
tilla. General  Boyd  now  advanced  with  his  detachment 
formed  in  three  columns,  and  ordered  a  part  of  General 
Swartwout's  brigade  to  move  forward,  and  bring  the  ene-  ' 
my  to  action.  Colonel  Ripley,  accordingly,  at  the  head 
of  the  2 1st. regiment,  passed  the  wood  which  skirts  the 
open  ground  called  Chrystler's  field,  and  drove  in  several 
of  the  enemy's  parties.  On  entering  the  field,  he  met  the 
advance  of  the  British,  consisting  of  the  forty-ninth  and 
the  Glengary  fencibles.  Colonel  Ripley  immediately 
ordered  a  charge,  which  was  executed  with  surprising 
firmness,  so  that  these  two  regiments,  nearly  double  his 
numbers,  were  compelled  to  retire ;  and  on  making  a 
stand,  were  a  second  time  driven  before  the  bayonet,  and 
compelled  to  pass  over  the  ravines  and  fences,  by  which 
the  field  was  intersected,  until  they  fell  on  their  main  body. 

General  Covington  had,  before  this,  advanced  upon  the 
right  of  the  enemy,  where  his  artillery  was  posted  ;  and 
at  the  moment  Colonel  Ripley  had  assailed  the  left  flank, 
the  right  was  forced  by  a  determined  onset,  and  success 
appeared  scarcely  doubtful.  Unfortunately,  however, 
General  Covington,  whose  activity  had  rendered  him  con- 
spicuous, became  a  mark  for  the  sharp  shooters  of  the 
enerny,  stationed  in  Chrystler's  house,  and  he  was  shot 
from  his  horse.  The  fall  of  this  gallant  officer  arrested 
the  progress  of  the  brigade,  and  the  artillery  of  the  ene- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  299 

<ny  threw  it  into  confusion,  and  caused  it  to  fall  back  in 
disorder.  The  Britisli  commander  now  wheeled  part  of 
his  line  into  column,  with  the  view  of  capturing  some  pie- 
ces of  artillery,  jnrhich  were  no  longer  supported.  A  bo- 
dy of  dragoons,  under  the  Adjutant-General  Walbach,  at* 
tempted,  in  a  very  gallant  manner,  to  charge  the  British 
column,  but  from  the  nature  of  the  ground  was  not  suc- 
cessful. 

At  this  critical  moment,  Colonel  Ripley,  who  had  been 
engaged  with  the  enemy's  left  flank,  threw  his  regiment 
between  the  artillery  and  the  advancing  column,  and  frus- 
trated their  design.  The  British  fell  back  with  precipi- 
tation. The  regiments  which  had  broken,  had  not  reti- 
red from  the  field,  but  still  continued  to  keep  up  an  irre- 
gular fight  with  various  success ;  and  the  twenty-first  ha- 
ving by  this  time  expended  its  ammunition,  and  being 
much  exposed,  was  withdrawn  to  another  position,  and 
in  the  meanwhile  the  enemy  again  attempted  to  possess 
themselves  of  the  artillery.  One  piece  was  unfortunately 
captured  by  them,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  Lieu- 
tenant William  S.  Smith,  who  commanded  it ;  the  others 
were  brought  off  by  the  coolness  and  bravery  of  Captain 
Armstrong  Irvine.  The  action  soon  after  ceased,  having 
been  kept  up  for  two  hours,  by  little  better  than  raw  troops 
against  an  equal  number  of  veterans.  The  British  force 
consisted  of  detachments  from  the  forty-ninth,  eighty- 
fourth,  hundred  and  fourth,  the  Voltigeurs,  and  the  Glen- 
gary  regiment.  The  enemy  soon  after  retired  to  their 
camp,  and  the  Americans  to  their  boats. 

In  this  battle,  the  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed  and 
wounded,  amounted  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-nine,  of 
whom  one  hundred  and  two  were  killed  ;  among  these 
were  Lieutenants  Smith,  Hunter,  and  Olmstead ;  among 
the  wounded  were  General  Covington,  who  afterwards 
died ;  Colonel  Preston ;  Majors  Chambers,  Noon,  and 
Cummings  ;  Captains  Townsend,  Foster,  Myers,  Camp- 
bell, and  Murdock ;  and  Lieutenants  Heaton,  Williams, 
Lynch,  Pelham.  Brown,  and  Creery.  The  British  loss 
could  not  have  been  less  than  that  of  the  Americans. 

This  appears  to  have  been  a  drawn  battle ;  the  British 
and  Americans  both  leaving  the  ground.  On  the  1 1th, 


300  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  army  joined  the  advance  near  Barnhart.  The  com* 
mander  in  chief  received  information  from  General  Hamp- 
ton, which  piit  an  end  to  the  design  against  Montreal. 

On  the  sixth,  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Chrystler's 
field,  the  commander  in  chief  had  given  orders  to  Gene- 
ral Hampton  to  meet  him  at  St.  Regis  ;  but  soon  after 
this  order,  a  letter  was  received  from  General  Hampton, 
in  which,  after  stating  that  from  the  disclosure  of  the  state 
of  General  Wilkinson's  supply  of  provisions,  and  the 
situation  of  the  roads  to  St.  Regis,  which  rendered  it  im- 
possible to  transport  a  greater  quantity  than  could  be  car- 
ried by  a  man  on  his  back,  he  had  determined  to  open  a 
communication  from  Plattsburgh  to  Conewago,  or  by  any 
other  point  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  which  the  commander 
in  chief  might  indicate. 

General  Hampton,  some  time  before  this,  with  a  view 
to  a  further  movement  of  troops,  had  descended  the  Cha- 
teaugay  river,  about  the  same  time  that  the  army  was  con- 
centrated on  Lake  Ontario.  Sir  George  Prevost,  per- 
ceiving this  movement  towards  Montreal,  had  collected 
al^  ms  force  at  this  point  to  oppose  the  march  of  Hamp- 
ton. On  the  twenty-first  of  October,  this  officer  crossed 
the  line,  but  soon  found  his  road  obstructed  by  fallen  tim- 
ber, and  the  ambuscade  of  the  enemy's  militia  and  In- 
dians. A  wood  of  considerable  extent  would  have  to  be 
passed,  before  they  could  reach  the  open  country ;  and 
while  the  engineers  were  engaged  in  cutting  their  way 
through,  Colonel  Purdy  was  detached  with  the  light 
troops,  and  one  regiment  of  the  line,  to  turn  their  flank, 
and  then  seize  on  the  open  country  below.  In  this  he 
succeeded,  and  the  army  by  the  next  day  reached  the  po- 
sition of  the  advance. 

But  it  was  discovered,  that  about  seven  miles  further 
there  was  a  wood  which  had  been  felled,  and  formed  into 
an  abattis,  and  that  a  succession  of  breastworks,  some  of 
them  well  supplied  with  artillery,  had  been  formed  by  the 
main  body  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Purdy,  on  the  25th, 
was  ordered  to  march  down  the  river  on  the  opposite 
side,  and,  on  passing  the  enemy,  to  cross  over,  and  attack 
him  in  his  rear,  whilst  the  brigade  under  General  Izard 
would  attack  him  in  front.  Colonel  Purdy  had  not  march- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  301 

ed  far  when  his  orders  were  countermanded  ;  but,  on  his 
return,  he  was  attacked  by  the  enemy's  infantry  and  In- 
dians, and  at  first  thrown  into  confusion,  but  the  assailants 
were  soon  after  repulsed  ;  they  came  out  at  the  same  mo- 
ment in  front,  and  attacked  General  Izard,  but  were  com- 
pelled to  retire  behind  their  defences. 

General  Hampton,  finding  that  the  enemy  was  gaining 
strength,  determined  to  retreat.  A  council  of  officers 
was  called  by  the  commander  in  chief,  and  the  army  re- 
tired to  winter  quarters  at  French  Mills. 

Thus  determined  a  campaign  which  gave  rise  to  dissa- 
tisfaction, proportioned  to  the  high  expectations  which 
had  been  indulged  ;  this  unexpected  turn  of  affairs  ap- 
peared to  cast  a  shade  upon  all  the  brilliant  series  of  suc- 
cess which  had  preceded.  Opinion  was  much  divided  as 
to  the  causes  of  the  failure,  and  as  to  the  parties  who 
ought  to  bear  the  blame. 

While  these  things  were  taking  place  on  the  land,  the 
commander  of  our  squadron  on  the  lake  was  not  idle. 
Commodore  Chauncey,  it  has  been  seen,  after  his  first  at- 
tempt to  bring  the  enemy  to  action,  returned  to  Sackett's 
Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  fresh  supply  of 
provisions.  After  being  reinforced  by  a  new  schooner, 
he  again  sailed  on  a  cruise ;  and,  on  the  seventh  of  Sep- 
tember, discovered  the  British  squadron  near  the  Niagara, 
and  immediately  stood  for  it.  Sir  James,  on  perceiving 
the  Americans,  made  sail  to  the  northward,  and  was  pur- 
sued during  four  days  and  nights  ;  but  owing  to  the  dull 
sailing  of  a  greater  part  of  the  pursuers,  he  was  enabled 
to  keep  out  of  their  reach. 

On  the  fourth  day,  off  Genessee  River,  Commodore 
Chauncey,  having  a  breeze,  while  Sir  James  lay  becalmed, 
endeavoured  to  close  with  him ;  this  he  was  not  able  to 
accomplish,  the  enemy  taking  the  breeze  also,  when  the 
American  squadron  had  approached  within  half  a  mile. 
After  a  running  fight  of  more  than  three  hours,  the  Bri- 
tish escaped,  but  the  next  morning  ran  into  AmherstBay, 
whither  the  American  commodore,  for  want  of  a  pilot, 
did  not  think  it  prudent  to  follow,  but  contented  himself 
^yith  forming  a  blockade.  In  the  running  fight  the  Bri- 
tish sustained  considerable  injury  ;  that  of  the  Americana 

26 


302  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

was  very  trifling.  The  blockade  was  continued  until  the 
seventeenth  of  September,  when,  in  consequence  of  a 
heavy  gale  which  blew  from  the  westward,  the  commo- 
dore was  compelled  to  leave  his  station,  and  the  British 
escaped  into  Kingston. 

After  remaining  but  a  short  time  in  Sackett's  Harbour, 
Commodore  Chauncey  again  sailed  towards  Niagara, 
Where  he  arrived  on  the  24th,  having  passed  Sir  James  at 
the  False  Ducks,  without  noticing  him,  intending  to  draw 
him  into  the  lake.  A  few  days  after,  the  American  com- 
modore received  information,  that  the  enemy  was  in  the 
harbour  of  York ;  he,  therefore,  made  sail  to  that  place, 
as  fast  as  his  dull  sailing  schooners  would  permit ;  and,  on 
the  twenty-seventh,  early  in  the  morning,  discovered  the 
enemy  in  motion  in  the  bay,  and  immediately  stood  foi 
him.  This  being  perceived  by  Sir  James,  he  stood  out. 
and  endeavoured  to  escape  to  the  southward,  but  finding 
that  the  American  was  close  upon  him,  tacked  his  squad- 
ron in  succession,  and  commenced  a  well  directed  lire  at 
the  Pike,  in  order  to  cover  his  rear,  and  attacking  the 
rear  of  his  opponent  as  he  passed  to  leeward ;  this  was 
prevented  by  the  skilful  manoeuvring  of  Chauncey,  by 
bearing  down  in  line  on  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  squad- 
ron, which  was  thrown  into  confusion ;  Yeo  immediately 
bore  away,  but  not  before  his  ship  had  been  roughly  hand- 
led by  that  of  the  commodore.  In  twenty  minutes,  the 
main  and  mizentopmast,  and  mainyard  of  the  Wolfe,  were 
shot  away ;  the  British  commander  set  sail  upon  his  fore- 
mast, and  keeping  dead  before  the  wind,  was  enabled  to 
outsail  the  greater  part  of  Chauncey's  squadron.  The 
chase  was  continued  until  three  o'clock,  the  Pike  having 
the  Asp  in  tow,  and,  during  the  greater  part  of  this  time, 
within  reach  of  the  enemy's  shot.  Captain  Crane,  in  the 
Madison,  and  Lieutenant  Brown,  of  the  Oneida,  used  every 
exertion  to  close  with  the  enemy,  but  without  success, 
The  chase  was  at  length  reluctantly  given  up,  as  it  came 
on  to  blow  almost  a  gale,  and  there  was  no  hope  of  clo- 
sing with  the  enemy  before  he  could  reach  the  British  bat- 
teries, and  without  great  risk  of  running  .ashore.  The 
commodore  was  justly  entitled  to  claim  a  victory  in  this 
affair ;  although  the  enemy  were  not  captured,  they  were 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  303 

certainly  beaten ;  two  of  his  vessels  were  at  one  moment 
completely  in  the  commodore's  power ;  but  from  his  ea- 
gerness to  close  with  the  whole  fleet,  they  effected  their 
escape.  In  addition  to  the  general  policy  of  Sir  James 
Yeo,  the  late  affair  on  Lake  Erie  had  rendered  him  parti- 
cularly careful  to  avoid  an  engagement.  The  loss  on 
board  the  Pike  was  considerable,  Bowing  to  her  having 
been  so  long  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  fleet ; 
the  most  serious,  however,  was  occasioned  by  the  burst- 
ing of  one  of  her  guns,  by  which  twenty-two  men  were 
killed  and  wounded ;  the  total  amounted  to  twenty-seven. 
The  vessel  was  a  good  deal  cut  up  in  her  hull  and  rig- 
ging- 

Shortly  after  this  affair,  the  commodore  having  com- 
municated with  General  Wilkinson  on  the  subject  of  the 
expedition  then  on  foot,  was  advised  to  continue  to  watch 
the  enemy's  squadron  ;  and,  if  possible,  to  prevent  its  re- 
turn to  Kingston.  About  the  beginning  of  October,  the 
commodore  again  chased  the  enemy's  fleet  for  several 
days,  and  forced  it  to  take  refuge  in  Burlington  Bay ;  the 
next  morning,  on  sending  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  to  recon- 
noitre, it  was  discovered  that  Sir  James  had  taken  ad- 
vantage of  the  darkness  of  night,  and  escaped  to  Kings- 
ton. Much  pleasantry  was  indulged  at  this  time,  at  the 
shyness  of  the  British  knight,  and  his  ungallant  escape 
from  the  Lady  of  the  Lake.  The  chase  was  now  renew- 
ed, and,  favoured  by  the  wind,  the  commodore  came  in 
sight  of  seven  schooners,  'and  captured  five  of  them,  in 
spite  of  their  efforts  to  escape  by  separating.  Before  sun- 
down, three  of  them  struck  to  the  Pike,  and  another  to 
the  Sylph  and  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  a  fifth  was  af- 
terwards captured  by  the  Sylph.  They  turned  out  to  be 
gun  vessels,  bound  to  the  head  of  the  lake  as  transports. 
Two  of  them  were  the  Julia  and  Growler,  which  had 
been  lost  by  the  Americans.  On  board  were  three  hun- 
dred soldiers  belonging  to  the  De  Watteville  regiment. 
It  was  ascertained  that  the  ship  of  Sir  James  Yeo,  and  the 
Royal  George,  had  suffered  very  considerable  injury,  as 
well  as  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey  remained  master  of  the  lake  during  the  remainder  of 
the  season. 


304  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

The  consequence  of  leaving  a  large  force  of  the  ene- 
my in  the  rear,  and  withdrawing  the  troops  from  Niagara 
were  soon  felt.  General  Harrison  arrived  at  Buffalo  soon 
after  the  departure  of  the  commander  in  chief,  but  could 
not  follow  for  want  of  transports.  He  embarked  after  the 
main  body  had  gone  into  winter  quarters.  The  fort  was 
left  under  command  of  General  M'Clure,  who  command- 
ed militia  whose  term  of  service  had  nearly  expired. 
This  force  was  soon  reduced  to  a  handful  of  men,  and  the 
place  was  no  longer  tenable.  The  enemy  was  in  march 
with  a  large  force.  The  fort  was  blown  up,  and  the  few 
troops  crossed  the  river,  just  in  time  to  escape  the  British. 
But  this  retreat  was  preceded  by  an  act  which  every  Ame- 
rican ought  to  condemn.  Newark,  a  handsome  little  vil- 
lage, near  the  fort,  would  greatly  favour  a  besieging  ar- 
my ;  and  orders  were  given  by  the  secretary,  that  if  ne- 
cessary for  the  defence  of  the  fort,  the  village  should  be 
destroyed,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  taking  shelter  in  it. 
By  an  astonishing  misconception  of  these  orders,  the  ge- 
neral gave  notice  to  the  inhabitants  to  retire,  and  left  the 
village  in  flames.  The  act  was  promptly  disavowed  by 
the  government.  The  order,  so  misconceived,  was  soon 
enclosed  to  Sir  George  Prevost,  expressing  regret,  and 
declaring  the  act  unauthorized. 

Sir  George  Prevost,  however,  did  not  wait  for  the  disa- 
vowal of  the  American  government;  he  had  already  in- 
flicted a  retaliation  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  vengeance  of 
the  fiercest  enemy.  At  daylight,  on  the  nineteenth  of 
December,  Fort  Niagara  was  surprised  by  Colonel  Mur- 
ray, with  about  four  hundred  men  ;  and  the  garrison, 
nearly  three  hundred  in  number,  and  principally  invalids, 
was  put  to  the  sword ;  not  more  than  twenty  being  able 
to  escape.  The  commanding  officer,  Captain  Leonard, 
appears  to  have  been  shamefully  negligent,  or  perhaps 
bought  by  the  enemy :  he  was  absent  at  the  time,  and  had 
used  no  precautions  against  an  assault.  Having  possess- 
ed themselves  of  this  place,  they  soon  after  increased 
their  force,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  lay  waste  the 
Niagara  frontier  Avith  fire  and  sword.  The  militia,  hastily 
collected,  could  oppose  no  resistance  to  a  large  body  of 
British  regulars  and  seven  hundred  Indians.  A  spirited, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  305 

but  unavailing  attempt,  was  made  by  Major  Bennett  to  de- 
fend Lewistown  ;  this  village,  together  with  that  of  Man- 
chester, Young's  Town,  and  the  Indian  village  of  the  Tus- 
caroras,  were  speedily  reduced  to  ashes,  and  many  of  the 
inhabitants  butchered. 

Major  Mellory  advanced  from  Slosser,  to  oppose  the 
invaders,  but  was  compelled  by  superior  numbers  to  re- 
treat. On  the  thirtieth,  a  detachment  landed  at  Black 
Rock,  and  proceeded  to  Buffalo  ;  General  Hall  had  or- 
ganized a  body  of  militia,  but  on  the  approach  of  the  ene- 
my, they  could  not  be  induced  to  hold  their  ground. 
Great  exertions  were  made  by  Majors  Staunton  and  Nor- 
ton, and  Lieutenant  Riddle,  but  to  no  purpose.  The  vil- 
lage was  soon  after  reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  whole  fron- 
tier, for  many  miles,  exhibited  a  scene  of  ruin  and  devas- 
tation. Here  was  indeed  ample  vengeance  for  the  burn- 
ing of  Newark.  '  Even  the  British  general  was  satisfied,  as% 
appears  by  his  proclamation  of  the  twelfth  of  January  : 
"  the  opportunity  of  punishment  has  occurred,  and  a  full 
measure  of  retribution  has  taken  place:"  and  he  declared 
his  intention  of  "pursuing  no  further  a  system  of  warfare 
so  revolting  to  his  own  feelings,  and  so  little  congenial 
to  the  British  character." 

We  think  indeed  it  was  time  to  stop,  and  we  are  well 
persuaded  that  those  who  venerate  the  lex  talionis,  must 
be  satisfied  that  the  measure  of  vindictive  vengeance  was 
full  to  overflowing. 

About  this  time  a  very  interesting  subject  was  submit- 
ted to  the  consideration  of  congress.  Twenty-three  Ame- 
rican soldiers  taken  at  the  battle  of  Queenstown,  in  the 
autumn  of  1812,  were  detained  in  close  confinement  as 
British  subjects  ;  and  sent  to  England  to  undergo  a  trial 
for  treason.  On  this  being  made  known  to  our  govern 
ment,  orders  were  given  to  General  Dearborn  to  confine 
a  like  number  of  British  prisoners  taken  at  Fort  George, 
and  to  keep  them  as  hostages  for  the  safety  of  the  Ameri- 
cans ;  which  was  carried  into  effect,  and  soon  after  made 
known  to  the  governor  of  Canada.  The  British  govern- 
ment was  no  sooner  informed  of  this,  than  Governor  Pre- 
vost  was  ordered  to  place  forty-six  American  officers  and 
26* 


306  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF  * 

non-commissioned  officers  in  confinement,  to  ensure  the 
safety  of  the  British  soldiers. 

This  subject  was  the  theme  of  very  immediate  debate 
in  congress,  which  Avas  at  this  time  in  session. 

The  result  of  this  debate  was,  a  determination  to  main- 
tain with  firmness  the  position  which  the  administration 
had  taken ;  and  if  Great  Britain  persisted  in  the  fell  reso- 
lution of  rendering  the  war  bloody  beyond  the  example 
of  modern  times,  the  United  States  must,  reluctantly,  pur- 
sue a  course  to  be  lamented  by  every  man  of  common 
humanity. 

Notwithstanding  the  intemperate  opposition  on  the 
floor  of  congress,  the  war  was  evidently  gaining  ground  ; 
the  conduct  of  the  enemy  in  the  prosecution  of  hostilities, 
was  such  as  to  awaken  the  feelings  of  every  American ; 
and  the  rejection  of  the  Russian  mediation  staggered  many, 
who  confidently  predicted  its  prompt  acceptance.  The 
victories  which  we  had  obtained  at  sea,  came  home  to 
the  feelings  of  the  whole  nation,  and  were  claimed  ex- 
clusively by  the  opposition,  as  having  alwa)-s  been  the 
best  friends  to  the  navy.  The  British  actually  complain- 
ed that  those  whom  she  considered  her  friends  in  Ame- 
rica, should  rejoice  in  her  misfortunes :  and  accused  them 
of  faithlessness  and  inconstancy,  because  they  permitted 
their  love  of  country  to  overcome  their  hatred  for  the 
men  in  power.  But  this  was  a  delightful  proof  of  nation- 
ality, such  as  might  have  been  expected  from  Britain  her- 
self, or  from  France,  though  not  from  a  nation  so  recently 
composed  of  independent  jarring  states,  not  yet  perfectly 
cemented. 

It  becomes  every  virtuous  man  to  rejoice  in  the  good 
fortune  of  his  country,  however  he  may  dislike  the  pre- 
sent rulers.  This  sentiment  was  gradually  gaining  ground ; 
the  warlike  appearances  every  where  displayed,  interested 
the  ardent  minds  of  the  young  and  enterprising,  and  the 
feats  of  arms  daily  recounted,  awakened  the  desire  of 
being  distinguished.  The  contagion  of  military  pursuits 
was  rapidly  spreading.  The  habits  of  a  people  who  had 
been  thirty  years  at  peace,  and  constantly  occupied  in 
their  industrious  avocations,  could  not  be  changed  sud- 
denly. But  man  is  every  where  by  nature  warlike,  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  307 

cannot  exist  long  in  the  midst  of  martial  scenes  and  pre- 
parations, without  catching  their  spirit.  It  would  not 
have  been  difficult  to  predict,  that  the  foreign  enemy, 
which  was  at  first  regarded  only  as  the  enemy  of  a  party, 
would  soon  become  the  enemy  of  the  country. 

Our  affairs  in  the  southward  had  assumed  a  serious 
aspect,  and  no  sooner  had  the  northern  armies  retired 
into  winter  quarters,  than  the  public  attention  was  kept 
alive  by  the  interesting  events  which  transpired  in  the 
country  of  the  Creeks  during  the  winter.  That  ill  fated 
people  had  at  length  declared  open  war. 

In  consequence  of  the  threatening  appearances  to  the 
south,  and  the  hostilities  which  already  prevailed  with 
the  Indians  inhabiting  the  Spanish  territory,  Governor 
Mitchell,  of  Georgia,  was  required,  by  the  secretary  at 
war,  to  detach  a  brigade  to  the  Oakmulgee  river,  for  the 
purpose  of  covering  the  frontier  settlements  of  the  state. 
Governor  Holmes,  of  the  Mississippi  territory,  was,  at 
the  same  time,  ordered  to  join  a  body  of  militia  to  the 
volunteers  under  General  Claiborne,  then  stationed  on 
the  Mobile.  In  the  course  of  the  summer,  the  settlers  in 
the  vicinity  of  that  river,  became  so  much  alarmed  from 
the  hostile  deportment  of  the  Creeks,  that  the  greater 
part  abandoned  their  plantations,  and  sought  refuge  in  the 
different  forts  ;  while  the  peace  party  amongst  the  Creeks 
had,  in  some  places,  shut  themselves  up  in  forts,  and  were 
besieged  by  their  countrymen. 

The  commencement  of  hostilities  was  witnessed  by  one 
of  the  most  shocking  massacres  that  can  be  found  in  the 
history  of  our  Indian  wars.  The  settlers,  from  an  im- 
perfect idea  of  their  danger,  had  adopted  an  erroneous 
mode  of  defence,  by  throwing  themselves  into  small  forts 
or  stations,  at  great  distances  from  each  other,  on  the  va- 
rious branches  of  the  Mobile.  Early  in  August,  it  was 
ascertained,  that  the  Indians  intended  to  make  an  attack 
upon  all  these  stations,  and  destroy  them  in  detail.  The 
first  place  which  they  would  attempt,  would  probably  be 
Fort  Minis,  in  which  the  greatest  number  of  families  had 
oeen  collected. 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  August,  information  was 
brought  that  the  Indians  were  about  to  make  an  attack  on 


308  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

this  post,  but  unfortunately  too  little  attention  was  paid  to 
the  warning.  During  the  momentary  continuance  of  the 
alarm,  some  preparations  were  made  for  defence,  but  it 
seems  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  rouse  them  from 
their  unfortunate  disbelief  of  the  proximity  of  their  dan- 
ger. The  fort  was  commanded  by  Major  Beasley,  of  the 
Mississippi  territory,  (a  brave  officer,  and,  as  a  private 
citizen,  highly  respected,)  with  about  a  hundred  volun- 
teers under  his  command.  By  some  fatality,  notwith- 
standing the  warnings  he  had  received,  he  was  not  suffi- 
ciently on  his  guard,  and  suffered  himself  to  be  surprised 
on  the  thirtieth,  at  noon-day. 

The  sentinel  had  scarcely  time  to  notify  the  approach 
of  the  Indians,  when  they  rushed,  with  a  dreadful  yell, 
towards  the  gate,  which  was  wide  open;  the  garrison  was 
instantly  under  arms,  and  the  major  flew  towards  the  gate, 
with  some  of  his  men,  in  order  to  close  it,  and,  if  possible, 
expel  the  enemy ;  but  he  soon  after  fell  mortally  wound- 
ed. The  gate  was  at  length  closed,  after  great  slaughter 
on  both  sides ;  but  a  number  of  the  Indians  had  taken 
possession  of  a  block  house,  from  which  they  were  ex- 
pelled, after  a  bloody  contest,  by  Captain  Jack.  The  as- 
sault was  still  continued  for  an  hour  on  the  outside  of  the 
pickets  ;  the  port  holes  were  several  times  carried  by  the 
assailants,  and  retaken  by  those  within  the  fprt. 

The  Indians  now  for  a  moment  withdrew,  apparently 
disheartened  by  their  loss,  but,  on  being  harangued  by 
their  chief,  Weatherford,  they  returned  with  augmented 
fury  to  the  assault;  having  procured  axes,  they  proceeded 
to  cut  down  the  gate,  and,  at  the  same  time,  made  a  breach 
in  the  pickets,  and  possessing  themselves  of  the  area  of 
the  fort,  compelled  the  besieged  to  take  refuge  in  the 
houses.  Here  they  made  a  gallant  resistance,  but  the 
Indians  at  length  setting  fire  to  the  roofs,  the  situation  of 
these  unfortunate  people  became  altogether  hopeless. 
The  agonizing  shrieks  of  the  unfortunate  women  and 
children  at  their  unhappy  fate,  would  have  awakened  pity 
in  the  breasts  of  tigers ;  it  is  only  by  those  who  have 
some  faint  idea  of  the  nature  of  Indian  warfare,  that  the 
horror  of  their  situation  can  be  conceived.  The  terror 
of  the  scene  had  already  been  sufficient  to  have  bereft 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  309 

them  of  their  senses ;  but  what  heart  does  not  bleed  at 
the  recital  of  its  realities.  Not  a  soul  was  spared  by  these 
monsters  ;  from  the  most  aged  person  to  the  youngest  in- 
fant, they  became  the  victims  of  indiscriminate  butchery  ; 
and  some,  to  avoid  a  worse  fate,  even  rushed  into  the 
flames.  A  few  only  escaped  by  leaping  over  the  pickets, 
while  the  Indians  were  engaged  in  the  work  of  massacre. 

About  two  hundred  and  sixty  persons,  of  all  ages  and 
sexes,  thus  perished,  including  some  friendly  Indians,  and 
about  one  hundred  negroes.  The  panic  caused  at  the 
other  posts  or  stations,  by  this  dreadful  catastrophe,  can 
scarcely  be  described ;  the  wretched  inhabitants,  fearing 
a  similar  fate,  abandoned  their  retreats  of  fancied  securi- 
ty in  the  middle  of  the  night,  and  in  their  endeavours  to 
escape  to  Mobile,  encountered  every  species  of  suffering. 
The  dwellings  of  these  settlers,  (who  were  probably  as 
numerous  as  the  whole  tribe  of  Creeks,)  were  burnt,  and 
their  cattle  destroyed. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  disastrous  intelligence,  the  Ten- 
nessee militia,  under  the  orders  of  General  Jackson  and 
General  Cocke,  immediately  marched  to  the  country  of 
the  Creeks.  On  the  second  of  November,  General  Cof- 
fee was  detached,  with  nine  hundred  men,  against  the 
Tallushatches  towns,  and  reached  the  place  about  day- 
light the  next  morning.  The  Indians,  apprised  of  his 
approach,  were  prepared  to  receive  him.  Within  a  short 
distance  of  the  village,  the  enemy  charged  upon  him,  with 
a  boldness  seldom  displayed  by  Indians.  They  were  re- 
pulsed, and  after  a  most  obstinate  resistance,  in  which  they 
would  receive  no  quarters,  they  were  slain  almost  to  a 
man,  and  their  women  and  children  taken  prisoners. — 
There  were  nearly  two  hundred  of  the  warriors  killed 
in  this  affair.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  five  killed 
and  forty  wounded. 

Late  in  the  morning  of  the  seventh,  a  friendly  Indian 
brought  intelligence  to  General  Jackson,  that  about  thirty 
miles  below  his  camp,  were  a  number  of  Creeks  collected 
at  a  place  called  Talledega,  where  they  were  engaged  in 
besieging  a  number  of  friendly  Indians,  who  must  inevi- 
tably perish  unless  speedily  relieved.  This  officer,  whose 
resolutions  were  as  rapidly  executed  as  they  were  formed, 


310  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

marched  at  twelve  o'clock  the  same  night,  at  the  head  of 
twelve  hundred  men,  and  arrived  within  six  miles  of  the 
place  the  next  evening. 

At  midnight  he  again  advanced — by  seven  o'clock  was 
within  a  mile  of  the  enemy,  and  immediately  made  the 
most  judicious  arrangements  for  surrounding  them.  Ha- 
ving approached  in  this  manner  almost  unperceived,  within 
eighty  yards  of  the  Indians,  the  battle  commenced  on 
their  part  with  great  fury  ;  but  being  repulsed  on  all  sides, 
they  attempted  to  make  their  escape,  but  soon  found  them- 
selves enclosed  ;  two  companies  having  at  first  given  way, 
a  space  was  left  through  which  a  considerable  number  of 
the  enemy  escaped,  and  were  pursued  to  the  mountains 
with  great  slaughter.  In  this  action,  the  American  loss 
was  fifteen  killed  and  eighty  wounded.  That  of  the 
Creeks  was  little  short  of  three  hundred ;  their  whole 
force  exceeded  a  thousand. 

General  Cocke,  who  commanded  the  other  division  of 
the  Tennessee  militia,  on  the  llth  detached  General 
White  from  Fort  Armstrong,  where  he  was  encamped, 
against  the  hostile  towns  on  the  Tallapoose  river.  After 
marching  the  whole  night  of  the  seventeenth,  he  surprised 
a  town  at  daylight,  containing  upwards  of  three  hundred 
warriors,  sixty  of  whom  were  killed,  and  the  rest  taken 
prisoners.  Having  burnt  several  of  their  villages,  which 
had  been  deserted,  he  returned  on  the  twenty-third,  with- 
out losing  a  single  man. 

The  Georgia  militia,  under  General  Floyd,  advanced 
into  the  Creek  country,  about  the  last  of  the  month. 
Receiving  information  that  a  great  number  of  Indians 
were  collected  at  the  Autossee  towns,  on  the  Tallapoose 
river,  a  place  which  they  called  their  beloved  ground, 
and  where,  according  to  their  prophets,  no  white  man 
could  molest  them ;  General  Floyd,  placing  himself  at 
the  head  of  nine  hundred  militia,  and  four  hundred  friend- 
ly Creeks,  marched  from  his  encampment  on  the  Chata- 
houchie.  On  the  evening  of  the  twenty-eighth,  he  en- 
camped within  ten  miles  of  the  place,  and  resuming  his 
march  at  one  o'clock,  reached  the  towns  about  six,  and 
commenced  an  attack  upon  both  at  the  same  moment. 
His  troops  were  met  by  the  Indians  with  uncommon 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  311 

bravery;  and  it  was  not  until  after  an  obstinate  resistance, 
that  they  were  forced,  by  his  musketry  and  bayonets,  to 
fly  to  the  thickets  and  copses  in  the  rear  of  the  towns. 
In  the  course  of  three  hours  the  enemy  was  completely 
defeated,  and  the  villages  in  flames.  Eleven  Americans 
were  killed  and  fifty  wounded,  among  the  latter  the  gene- 
ral himself;  of  the  enemy,  it  is  supposed  that  beside  the 
Autosse  and  Tallasse  kings,  upwards  of  two  hundred  were 
killed. 

This  just  retribution,  it  was  hoped,  would  bring  these 
wretched  creatures  to  a  proper  sense  of  their  situation ; 
but  unfortunately  it  had  not  this  effect ;  they  still  persisted 
in  their  hostilities  against  us.  In  the  month  of  December, 
General  Claiborne  marched  a  detachment  against  the 
towns  of  Eccanachaca,  on  the  Alabama  river.  On  the 
twenty-second,  he  came  suddenly  upon  them,  killed  thirty 
of  their  warriors,  and  after  destroying  their  villages,  re- 
turned with  a  trifling  loss. 

After  the  battle  of  Talledega,  General  Jackson  was  left 
with  but  a  handful  of  men,  in  consequence  of  the  term  of 
service  of  the  militia  having  expired.  On  the  fourteenth 
of  January  he  was  fortunately  reinforced  by  eight  hundred 
volunteers  from  Tennessee,  and  soon  after  several  hun- 
dred friendly  Indians. 

He  was  also  joined  by  General  Coffee  with  a  number 
of  officers,  his  militia  having  returned  home.  On  the 
seventeenth,  with  a  view  of  making  a  diversion  in  favour 
of  General  Floyd,  and  at  the  same  time  of  relieving  Fort 
Armstrong,  which  was  said  to  be  threatened,  he  penetra- 
ted the  Indian  country.  On  the  evening  of  the  twenty- 
first,  believing  himself,  from  appearances,  in  the  vicinity 
of  a  large  body  of  Indians,  he  encamped  with  great  pre- 
caution, and  placed  himself  in  the  best  attitude  for  defence 
?^ome  time  in  the  night,  onp  of  his  spies  brought  information 
that  he  had  seen  the  enemy  a  few  miles  off,  and  from  their 
oeing  busily  engaged  in  sending  away  their  women  and 
children,  it  was  evident  they  had  discovered  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  would  cither  escape  or  make  an  attack  before 
morning. 

While  the  troops  were  in  this  state  of  readiness,  they 
u  ere  vigorously  attacked  on  their  loft  fiank  about  day- 


312  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

light ;  the  enemy  was  resisted  with  firmness,  and  after  a 
severe  contest,  they  fled  in  every  direction.  This  was 
however  soon  discovered  to  be  a  feint ;  General  Coffee 
having  been  despatched  with  four  hundred  men,  to  de- 
stroy the  enemy's  camp,  with  directions  not  to  attack  it, 
if  strongly  fortified,  returned  with  information  that  it  would 
not  be  prudent  to  attempt  it  without  artillery  ;  half  an  hour 
had  scarcely  elapsed,  when  the  enemy  commenced  a  fierce 
attack  on  Jackson's  left  flank.  It  seems  they  had  intend- 
ed, by  the  first  onset,  to  draw  the  Americans  into  a  pur- 
suit, and  by  that  means  create  confusion ;  but  this  was 
completely  prevented  by  Jackson's  causing  his  left  flank 
to  keep  its  position. 

General  Coffee,  with  about  fifty  of  his  officers,  acting 
as  volunteers,  assailed  the  Indians  on  the  left,  while  about 
two  hundred  friendly  Indians  came  upon  them  on  the 
right.  The  whole  line  giving  them  one  fire,  resolutely 
charged  ;  and  the  enemy  being  disappointed  in  their  plan, 
fled  with  precipitation.  On  the  left  flank  of  the  Indians 
the  contest  was  kept  up  some  time  longer ;  General  Cof- 
fee was  severely  wounded,  and  his  aid,  A.  Donaldson, 
killed  ;  on  being  reinforced  by  a  party  of  the  friendly  In- 
dians, he  compelled  the  enemy  to  fly,  leaving  fifty  of  their 
warriors  on  the  ground. 

General  Jackson,  being  apprehensive  of  another  attack, 
fortified  his  camp  for  the  night ;  the  next  day,  fearing  a 
want  of  provisions,  he  found  it  necessary  to  retreat,  and 
before  night  reached  Enotachopco,  having  passed  a  dan- 
gerous defile  without  interruption.  In  the  morning  he 
had  to  cross  a  defile  still  more  dangerous,  where  he  might 
expect  that  the  enemy  had  formed  an  ambuscade  ;  he 
therefore  determined  to  pass  at  some  other  point.  The 
most  judicious  arrangements  having  been  made  for  the 
disposition  of  his  force  in  case  of  attack,  he  moved  for- 
ward towards  the  pass  which  he  had  selected.  The  front 
guard,  with  part  of  the  flank  columns,  together  with  the 
wounded,  had  scarcely  crossed  the  creek,  when  the  alarm 
was  given  in  the  rear. 

Jackson  immediately  gave  orders  for  his  right  and  left 
columns  to  wheel  on  their  pivot,  and  crossing  the  stream 
above  and  below,  assail  the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  enemy, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  313 

and  thus  completely  enclose  them.  But,  to  his  astonish- 
ment and  mortification,  when  the  word  was  given  for  these 
columns  to  form,  and  a  few  guns  were  fired,  they  precipi- 
tately gave  way.  This  unaccountable  flight  had  well 
nigh  proved  fatal ;  it  drew  along  with  it  the  greater  part 
of  the  centre  column,  leaving  not  more  than  twenty-five 
men,  who,  being  formed  by  Colonel  Carrol,  maintained 
their  ground  for  a  time  against  overwhelming  numbers. 
All  that  could  now  be  opposed  to  the  enemy,  were  the 
few  who  remained  of  the  rear  guard,  the  artillery  com- 
pany, and  Captain  Rupel's  company  of  spies.  Their 
conduct,  however,  was  admirable.  Lieutenant  Armstrong, 
with  the  utmost  coolness  and  intrepidity,  dragged,  with 
the  assistance  of  a  few  more,  the  six  pounder  up  the  hill, 
although  exposed  to  a  heavy  fire ;  and  having  gained  his 
position,  loaded  the  piece  with  grape,  and  fired  it  with 
such  effect,  that,  after  a  few  discharges,  the  enemy  was 
repulsed. 

The  Indians  were  pursued  for  several  miles  by  Colonel 
Carrol,  Colonel  Higgins,  and  Captains  Elliot  and  Pipkins. 
Captain  Gordon,  of  the  spies,  had  partly  succeeded  in 
turning  their  flanks,  and,  by  this  impetuous  charge,  con- 
tributed greatly  to  restore  the  day.  The  Americans  now 
continued  their  march  without  further  molestation.  In 
these  different  engagements,  about  twenty  Americans 
were  killed,  and  seventy-five  \vounded ;  in  the  last,  about 
one  hundred  and  eighty  of  the  Creeks  were  slain. 

Meanwhile,  General  Floyd  was  advancing  towards  the 
Indian  territory,  from  the  Chatahouchie  river.  On  the 
twenty-seventh  of  January  his  camp  was  attacked  by  a 
large  body  of  Indians  about  an  hour  before  day.  They 
stole  upon  the  sentinels,  fired  upon  them,  and  then  rushed 
with  great  impetuosity  towards  the  line.  The  action 
soon  became  general ;  the  front  of  both  flanks  was  close- 
ly pressed,  but  the  firmness  of  the  officers  and  men  re- 
pelled their  assaults  at  every  point.  As  soon  as  it  became 
sufficiently  light,  General  Floyd  strengthened  his  right 
wing,  and  formed  his  cavalry  in  the  rear,  then  directed  a 
charge ;  the  enemy  were  driven  before  the  bayonet,  and 
being  pursued  by  the  cavalry,  many  of  them  were  killed. 
The  loss  of  General  Floyd  was  seventeen  killed,  and  one 

27 


314  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

hundred  and  thirty-two  wounded.  That  of  the  Indians 
could  not  be  ascertained ;  thirty-seven  of  their  warriors 
were  left  dead  on  the  field,  but  it  is  thought  their  loss 
was  very  considerable. 

By  this  time  it  might  be  supposed  that  the  Creeks  had 
been  satisfied  with  the  experiment  of  war,  but  they  appear 
to  have  been  infatuated  in  a  most  extraordinary  degree. 
From  the  influence  of  their  prophets  over  their  supersti- 
tious minds,  they  were  led  on  from  one  ruinous  efibrt  to 
another,  in  hopes  that  the  time  would  at  last  arrive,  when 
their  enemies  would  be  delivered  into  their  hands. 

General  Jackson,  having  received  considerable  rein- 
forcements from  Tennessee,  and  being  joined  by  a  num- 
ber of  friendly  Indians,  set  out  on  an  expedition  to  the 
Tallapoose  River.  He  proceeded  from  the  Goose  on  the 
twenty-fourth  of  March,  reached  the  southern  extremity 
of  the  New-Youca  on  the  twenty-seventh,  at  a  place  call- 
ed the  Horse-shoe-bend  of  the  Goose.  Nature  furnishes 
few  situations  so  eligible  for  defence ;  and  here  the 
Creeks,  by  the  direction  of  their  prophets,  had  made  their 
last  stand.  Across  the  neck  of  land  they  had  erected  a 
breastwork  of  the  greatest  compactness  and  strength, 
from  five  to  eight  feet  high,  and  provided  with  a  double 
row  of  port  holes  artfully  arranged.  In  this  place  they 
considered  themselves  perfectly  secure.  The  assailants 
could  not  approach  without  being  exposed  to  a  double 
and  cross  fire  from  the  Indians  who  lay  behind.  The 
area  thus  enclosed  by  the  breastworks  was  little  short  of 
one  hundred  acres.  The  warriors  from  Oakfuskee,  Oak- 
shaya,  Hilebees,  the  Fish  Ponds,  and  Eupata  towns,  had 
collected  their  force  at  this  place,  in  number  exceeding  a 
thousand. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  twenty-seventh,  General 
Jackson,  having  encamped  the  preceding  night  within 
six  miles  of  the  bend,  detached  General  Coffee,  with  the 
mounted  men,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Indian  force, 
to  pass  the  river  at  a  ford  about  three  miles  below  their 
encampment,  and  to  surround  the  bend  in  such  a  manner 
that  none  of  them  should  escape  by  attempting  to  cross 
the  river.  With  the  remainder  of  his  force,  General 
Jackson  advanced  to  the  point  of  the  breastwork,  and  at 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  315 

half  past  ten  planted  his  artillery  on  a  small  eminence, 
within  eighty  yards  of  the  nearest  point  of  the  work,  and 
within  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  farthest.  A  brisk 
cannonade  was  opened  upon  the  centre,  and  a  severe  fire 
was  kept  up  with  musketry  and  rifles,  when  the  Indians 
ventured  to  show  themselves  behind  their  defences. 

In  the  meantime,  General  Coffee,  having  crossed  below, 
had  advanced  towards  the  village  ;  when  within  half  a  mile 
of  that  which  stood  at  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula,  the 
Indians  gave  their  yell ;  Coffee,  expecting  an  immediate 
attack,  drew  up  his  men  in  order  of  battle,  and  in  this 
manner  continued  to  move  forward.  The  friendly  In- 
dians had  previously  taken  possession  of  the  bank,  for 
the  purpose  of  preventing  the  retreat  of  the  enemy ;  but 
they  no  sooner  heard  the  artillery  of  Jackson,  and  the  ap- 
proach of  Coffee,  than  they  rushed  forward  to  the  banks ; 
while  the  militia,  apprehending  an  attack  from  the  Oak- 
fuskee  villages,  were  obliged  to  remain  in  order  of  bat- 
tle. 

The  friendly  Indians,  unable  to  remain  silent  spectators, 
began  to  fire  across  the  stream,  about  one  hundred  yards 
wide,  while  some  plunged  into  the  river,  and  swimming 
across,  brought  back  a  number  of  canoes ;  in  these  the 
greater  part  embarked,  landed  on  the  peninsula,  then  ad- 
vanced into  the  village,  drove  the  enemy  from  their  huts 
up  to  the  fortifications,  and  continued  to  annoy  them  du- 
ring the  whole  action.  This  movement  of  the  Indians 
rendered  it  necessary  that  a  part  of  Coffee's  line  should 
take  their  place. 

General  Jackson,  finding  that  his  arrangements  were 
complete,  at  length  yielded  to  the  earnest  solicitations  of 
his  men  to  be  led  to  the  charge.  The  regular  troops,  led 
by  Colonel  Williams  and  Major  Montgomery,  were  in  a 
moment  in  possession  of  the  nearest  part  of  the  breast- 
works; the  militia  accompanied  them  with  equal  firm- 
ness and  intrepidity.  Having  maintained,  for  a  few  mi- 
nutes, a  very  obstinate  contest,  muzzle  to  muzzle,  through 
the  port  holes,  they  succeeded  in  gaining  the  opposite  side 
of  the  works.  The  event  could  no  longer  be  doubtful. 

The  enemy,  although  many  of  them  fought  with  that 
kind  of  bravery  which  desperation  inspires,  were  cut  to 


316  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

pieces.  The  whole  margin  of  the  river  which  surround 
ed  the  peninsula,  was  strewed  with  the  slain.  Five  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  were  found,  besides  those  thrown  into 
the  river  by  their  friends,  or  drowned  in  attempting  to  es- 
cape. Not  more  than  fifty  could  have  escaped.  Among 
their  slain  was  their  great  prophet  Manahoe,  and  two 
others  of  less  note.  About  three  hundred  women  and 
children  were  taken  prisoners.  Jackson's  loss  was  twen- 
ty-six white  men  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  seven 
wounded;  eighteen  Cherokees  killed,  and  thirty-six 
wounded;  and  five  friendly  Creeks  killed,  and  eleven 
wounded. 

This  most  decisive  victory  put  an  end  to  the  Creek 
war.  The  spirit  and  power  of  these  misguided  men  were 
completely  broken  ;  Jackson  soon  after  scoured  the  coun- 
tries on  the  Coose  and  Tallapoose.  A  party  of  the  ene- 
my, on  the  latter  river,  on  his  approach  fled  to  Pensacola. 
The  greater  part  of  the  Creeks  now  came  forward,  and 
threw  themselves  on  the  mercy  of  the  victors.  A  detach- 
ment of  militia  from  North  and  South  Carolina,  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Pearson,  scoured  the  country 
on  the  Alabama,  and  received  the  submission  of  a  great 
number  of  Creek  warriors  and  their  prophets. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer,  a  treaty  of  peace  was  dic- 
tated to  them  by  Jackson,  on  severe  but  just  terms. 
They  agreed  to  yield  a  portion  of  their  country  as  an  in- 
demnity for  the  expenses  of  the  war ;  they  conceded  the 
privilege  of  opening  roads  through  their  country,  toge- 
ther with  the  liberty  of  navigating  their  rivers.  They  also 
stipulated  to  hold  no  intercourse  with  any  British  or 
Spanish  post  or  garrison,  and  to  deliver  up  the  property 
they  had  taken  from  whites  or  friendly  Indians.  The  ge- 
neral, on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  undertook  to 
guarantee  their  territory,  to  restore  all  their  prisoners, 
and  in  consideration  of  their  destitute  situation,  to  furnish 
them  gratuitously  with  the  necessaries  of  life,  until  they 
could  provide  for  themselves.  They  also  engaged  to  es- 
tablish trading  houses,  and  endeavour  to  bring  back  the 
nation  to  their  former  state. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  after  the  failure  of  the 
campaign  against  the  British  provinces,  the  army  retired 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  317 

into  winter  quarters.  It  remained  inactive  till  the  latter 
part  of  February.  The  Secretary  of  War  gave  orders  to 
withdraw  to  Plattsburgh,  and  that  two  thousand  men  - 
should  be  marched  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  under  General 
Brown,  with  a  proportion  of  field  pieces  and  battering 
cannon.  The  general  destroyed  his  barracks,  and  retired 
to  the  place  assigned  him.  The  British  detached  a  large 
force  under  Col.  Scott,  who  destroyed  the  public  stores, 
and  pillaged  the  citizens. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  March,  General  Wilkinson 
determined  to  erect  a  battery  at  a  place  called  Rouse's 
point,  where  his  engineer  had  discovered  a  position  from 
which  the  enemy's  fleet,  then  laid  up  at  St.  John's,  might 
be  kept  in  check.  The  ice  breaking  up  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain  sooner  than  usual,  defeated  his  plan  ;  a  body  of  the 
enemy,  upwards  of  two  thousand  strong,  on  discovering 
his  design,  had  been  collected  at  La  Colle  mill,  three 
miles  from  Rouse's  point,  for  the  purpose  of  opposing 
him.  With  a  view  of  dislodging  this  party,  and  at  the 
same  time  of  forming  a  diversion  in  favour  of  General 
Brown,  who  had  marched  against  Niagara,  the  commander 
in  chief,  at  the  head  of  about  four  thousand  men,  crossed 
the  Canada  lines  on  the  thirtieth  of  March. 

After  dispersing  several  of  the  enemy's  skirmishing  par- 
ties, he  reached  La  Colle  mill,  a  large  fortified  stone  house, 
at  which  Major  Hancock  commanded.  An  eighteen 
pounder  was  ordered  up,  but  owing  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground  over  which  it  had  to  pass,  the  transportation  was 
found  impracticable ;  a  twelve  pounder  and  a  five  inch 
howitzer,  were  therefore  substituted.  These  pieces,  un- 
der the  direction  of  Captain  M'Pherson,  and  Lieutenants 
Larabee  and  Sheldon,  were  posted  at  the  distance  of  two 
hundred  paces  from  the  house,  and  covered  by  the  second 
brigade,  with  part  of  Colonel  Clark's  command,  under 
General  Smith  on  the  right ;  and  the  third  brigade,  under 
General  Bissel,  on  the  left.  Colonel  Miller  was  ordered 
to  take  a  position  with  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  regiments, 
in  order  to  cut  off  the  enemy's  retreat ;  while  the  reserve, 
composed  of  four  select  corps  of  the  first  brigade,  was 
placed  under  the  command  of  General  Macomb. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  the  battery  opened 
27* 


318  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

upon  the  house,  and  the  fire  was  promptly  returned.  The 
different  corps  were  greatly  exposed  to  the  fire  from  the 
house  ;  it  was  found  impossible  to  effect  a  breach,  although 
the  guns  were  managed  with  great  skill.  Captain  M'Pher- 
son  was  wounded  at  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  but 
continued,  notwithstanding,  at  his  post,  until  a  second  shot 
had  broken  his  thigh,  his  next  officer,  Larabee,  was  shot 
hrough  the  lungs  ;  Lieutenant  Sheldon  kept  up  the  fire 
until  the  end  of  the  affair,  and  behaved  in  a  manner  which 
drew  forth  the  praise  of  his  general. 

The  British  commander,  perceiving  that  the  Americans 
persisted  in  bombarding  the  house,  made  a  desperate  sor- 
tie, and  several  times  charged  upon  the  cannon,  in  which 
he  was  repulsed  by  the  covering  troops,  and  compelled 
to  retire  to  his  fortress  with  loss.  It  being  now  found 
impracticable  to  make  an  impression  on  this  strong  build- 
ing, whose  walls  were  of  unusual  thickness,  the  comman- 
der in  chief,  calling  in  his  different  parties,  fell  back  in 
good  order.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  affair  was 
upwards  of  one  hundred  and  forty  in  killed  and  wounded; 
that  of  the  British  is  not  ascertained. 

Many  were  the  difficulties  under  which  the  army  la- 
boured. Lack  of  system,  a  severe  climate,  sickness,  un- 
foreseen expenses,  abuses  in  every  department,  and  want 
of  experience  and  education  in  the  subalterns ;  and  the 
disgraceful  conduct  of  many  of  the  frontier  inhabitants,  in 
supplying  the  enemy  with  provisions,  are  among  the  num- 
ber of  misfortunes  under  which  the  country  laboured.  Be- 
sides which,  the  enemy  was  regularly  informed  of  every 
thing  which  transpired  on  the  American  side. 

Shortly  after  the  affair  of  La  Colle,  the  greater  part 
of  the  British  force  was  collected  at  St.  John's  and  the 
Isle  Aux  Noix,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  entrance 
of  the  squadron  into  Lake  Champlain,  on  the  breaking  up 
of  the  ice.  This  was  effected  early  in  May.  Some  time 
before  this,  on  the  suggestion  of  General  Wilkinson,  Com- 
modore M'Donough  had  fortified  the  mouth  of  Otter 
River,  so  as  to  secure  a  passage  for  his  flotilla,  which  then 
lay  at  Vergennes,  higher  up  the  river,  waiting  for  its  ar- 
mament. This  precaution  proved  of  great  service.  The 
commodore  had  laboured,  with  indefatigable  industry,  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  319 

provide  a  naval  force  on  this  lake,  to  cope  with  that  of 
the  enemy ;  the  vessels  had  been  built  during  the  autumn 
and  winter,  but  their  armament  did  not  arrive  before 
spring. 

The  first  object  of  the  enemy,  when  they  found  the 
navigation  open,  was  to  attempt  the  destruction  of  the 
fleet,  before  it  could  move  upon  its  element,  prepared  to 
meet  them.  On  the  12th  of  May,  not  long  after  the  erec.. 
tion  of  the  battery  on  the  cape,  at  the  entrance  of  the 
river,  a  bomb  vessel,  and  three  large  gallies,  were  station- 
ed by  the  enemy  across  the  creek,  for  the  purpose  of  block- 
ading the  squadron,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  intercept 
naval  supplies,  which  it  was  supposed  would  be  sent  by 
water,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  its  armament.  Cap- 
lain  Thornton,  of  the  light  artillery,  and  Lieutenant  Gas- 
sin,  with  a  number  of  sailors,  were  ordered  to  the  defence 
of  the  battery.  Indications  being,  at  the  same  time,  dis- 
covered, of  an  attempt  by  the  enemy  to  assail  the  battery 
in  the  rear,  General  Davis,  of  the  Vermont  militia,  called 
part  of  his  brigade,  in  order  to  oppose  the  landing. 

At  day-break,  on  the  14th,  the  enemy  commenced  an 
attack  upon  the  works,  but  were  so  effectually  resisted, 
that  they  were  compelled  to  withdraw  from  their  position 
with  the  loss  of  two  gallies,  which  they  were  obliged  to 
abandon.  Soon  after,  the  whole  squadron  moved  down 
the  lake,  but  not  without  some  skirmishing  with  General 
Wright,  of  the  militia,  as  they  passed  Burlington.  Com- 
modore M'Donough  had  attempted  to  bring  some  of  the 
American  vessels  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  but  the  Bri- 
tish squadron  had  disappeared  before  he  could  attain  his 
object. 

While  the  naval  preparations  were  making  on  Lake 
Champlain,  the  winter  and  spring  were  taken  up  with  the 
preparations  for  a  contest  of  superiority  on  Lade  Ontario. 
The  British  converted  it,  however,  into  a  contest  in  build- 
ing the  greatest  number,  and  the  largest  ships.  At  King- 
ston a  ship  of  extraordinary  size  was  building ;  for  the 
enemy  no  longer  trusted,  as  they  had  done  with  other  na- 
tions, to  superior  seamanship  and  valour.  Commodore 
Chauncey  was  under  the  necessity  of  building  additional 
vessels,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining,  as  nearly  as  possi- 


330  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ble,  an  equality  of  force.  The  enemy  was,  however,  not 
satisfied  in  endeavouring  to  conquer  us  in  ship  building; 
they  made  numerous  attempts  to  destroy,  by  insidious 
means,  those  already  built  by  the  Americans.  On  the 
twenty-fifth  of  April,  three  of  the  enemy's  boats,  provided 
with  the  means  of  blowing  up  the  vessels,  succeeded  in 
getting  close  into  Sackett's  Harbour  undiscovered,  but 
before  they  could  execute  their  purpose,  they  were  de- 
tected, and  fired  upon  by  Lieutenant  Dudley,  the  officer 
of  the  guard,  on  which  they  threw  their  powder  into  the 
lake,  and  pulled  off.  Failing  in  all  these  attempts,  from 
the  vigilance  of  the  Americans,  they  next  formed  the  de- 
termination to  intercept  the  naval  stores  on  their  way 
from  Oswego,  where  they  had  been  deposited.  Thither 
Sir  James  proceeded  with  his  whole  fleet,  and  having  on 
board  a  large  body  of  troops  under  General  Drummond, 
proceeded,  on  the  fifth  of  May,  with  the  determination  of 
storming  the  town,  and  capturing  the  equipments  destined 
for  the  new  vessels. 

The  British  commenced  a  heavy  bombardment,  which 
was  kept  up  for  several  days ;  the  unexpected  and  gallant 
resistance  of  the  garrison,  consisting  of  three  hundred 
men  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mitchell,  was  in  vain 
against  such  superior  force.  The  schooner  Growler,  then 
in  Oswego  Creek  to  receive  the  cannon,  was  sunk,  to  pre- 
vent her  from  being  taken,  and  all  the  tents  that  could  be 
procured  were  pitched  on  the  village  side,  to  give  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  large  force  of  militia.  The  sailors  of  the 
Growler,  under  Lieutenant  Pearce,  were  added  to  the 
garrison;  the  shore  battery  was  commanded  by  Captain 
Boyle,  seconded  by  Lieutenant  Legate.  At  one  o'clock, 
fifteen  barges,  filled  with  troops,  moved  towards  the  shore, 
preceded  by  several  gun-boats,  while  a  heavy  cannonade 
was  commenced  by  the  larger  vessels.  They  were  so 
warmly  received  by  the  battery  on  shore,  that  the  boats 
were  twice  repulsed,  and  one  of  the  largest  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Americans. 

The  squadron  now  stood  oflf,  but  this  was  evidently  for 
the  purpose  of  renewing  the  attack,  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  render  it  effectual.  They  again  approached  on  the 
sixth,  having  resolved  to  land  under  cover  of  her  ships ; 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  321 

they  accordingly  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  for  three  hours, 
while  their  land  forces,  two  thousand  in  number,  under 
General  De  Watteville,  succeeded  in  gaining  the  shore, 
after  being  gallantly  opposed  by  Lieutenant  Pearce  and 
his  seamen.  Colonel  Mitchell  now  abandoned  the  fort, 
and  joining  his  corps  to  the  marines  and  seamen,  engaged 
the  enemy's  flank,  and  did  great  execution.  Finding  fur- 
ther resistance  useless,  he  fell  back,  formed  his  troops, 
and  took  up  his  inarch  to  the  falls  of  Oswego,  destroying 
the  bridges  in  his  rear. 

Hither,  to  the  inexpressible  disappointment  of  the 
British,  the  naval  stores  had  been  removed,  and  all  their 
trouble,  and  the  loss  which  they  sustained,  procured  them 
nothing  more  than  a  few  barrels  of  provisions  and  some 
whiskey.  This  was  purchased  with  the  loss  of  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty-five  men,  in  killed  and  wounded ;  they 
were  certainly  entitled  to  the  victory,  but  they  never 
thought  proper  to  claim  it.  The  loss  of  the  Americans 
was  sixty-nine  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing ;  among 
the  first,  a  promising  officer,  Lieutenant  Blaney. 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  part  of  the  force 
proceeded  to  Pultneyville,  and  demanded  the  public 
stores.  The  inhabitants  were  unable  to  repel  the  inva~ 
ders*  who  indulged  themselves  in  their  usual  depredations; 
when  General  Swift,  of  the  New-York  militia,  opportunely 
arriving,  with  a  part  of  his  brigade,  put  them  to  flight.  The 
British,  soon  after,  hearing  that  the  Superior,  which  had 
lately  been  launched,  had  received  her  equipments  from 
the  interior,  broke  up  the  blockade  and  returned  to 
Kingston. 

Another  new  ship,  the  Mohawk,  was  at  this  time  on  the 
stocks,  and  as  she  would  have  to  be  supplied  with  her 
equipments  from  the  same  place,  it  was  determined,  since 
the  British  had  disappeared,  to  transport  them  by  water, 
and  avoid  the  expense  and  delay  of  land  transportation. 
To  deceive  the  enemy,  who  had  numerous  gunboats  ho- 
vering about  the  different  creeks,  a  report  was  circulated 
that  it  was  intended  to  forward  the  stores  to  the  Oneida 
lake.  Nineteen  barges  were  loaded  at  Oswego,  and  Ma- 
jor Appling  was  despatched  by  General  Gaines,  with  a 
detachment  to  aid  Captain  Woolsey,  in  their  defence. 


322  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  the  28th  of  May,  Captain  Woolsey,  finding  the  coast 
clear,  reached  the  village  by  sunset,  and  taking  advantage 
of  the  darkness  of  the  night  put  into  the  lake.  The  next 
day  they  reached  Sandy  creek,  and  ascending  it  a  few 
miles,  despatched  a  boat  to  look  out  for  the  British  on  the 
lake  ;  this  boat  was  discovered  by  some  gun  vessels,  and 
immediately  chased.  Major  Appling  and  Captain  Wool- 
sey determined  to  draw  them  into  an  ambuscade.  As  had 
been  anticipated,  the  enemy  pushed  their  gunboats  and 
cutters  up  the  creek,  while  a  party  landed  and  ascended 
along  the  bank. 

The  Americans  now  rushed  suddenly  upon  them,  and 
in  a  few  moments,  after  one  fire,  by  which  a  number  of 
them  were  killed  and  wounded,  the  whole  party  was  taken 
prisoners,  consisting  of  four  lieutenants  of  the  navy,  t\vo 
lieutenants  of  the  marines,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty 
men,  together  with  all  their  boats  and  cutters.  Major 
Appling,  for  this  affair,  was  brevetted,  and  his  officers, 
Lieutenants  Smith,  M'Intosh,  Calhoun,  M'Farland,  and 
Armstrong,  and  Ensign  Austin,  were  publickly  thanked. 
The  conduct  of  Captain  Woolsey  and  his  officers  was  not 
less  applauded. 

"  The  consequences  of  this  affair,  were  severely  felt  by 
the  British  ;  they  lost  a  number  of  their  best  seamen  and 
officers,  and  Commodore  Chauncey  was  once  more  master 
of  the  lake.  He  accordingly  sailed  out,  and  several  times 
presented  himself  before  Kingston,  but  Sir  James  did  not 
think  it  prudent  to  stir  out,  until  his  large  ship  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twelve  guns,  then  on  the  stocks,  should  be  com- 
pleted. This  mode  of  warfare  was  exceedingly  expensive, 
but  more  to  the  British  than  to  the  Americans ;  it  is  as- 
certained that  it  cost  the  former  more  than  twice  what  was 
expended  by  the  Americans,  in  consequence  of  their 
greater  difficulties  of  transportation. 

"  General  Brown  had,  in  the  mean  time,  reached  the 
Niagara  frontier,  and  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy 
would  be  immediately  expelled  from  the  American  terri- 
tory; but  his  situation  did  not  permit  the  attempt,  and 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  partial  encounters,  tranquil- 
lity prevailed  along  the  Niagara  frontier  during  the  sum- 
mer. It  would  be  improper  to  pass  over  in  silence,  how- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  323 

ever,  an  affair  which  took  place  in  this  quarter.  Colonel 
Campbell  crossed  the  lake  from  Erie,  with  about  five  hun- 
dred men,  and  landing  at  Dover,  a  small  village  on  the 
Canada  side,  proceeded  to  destroy  the  mills,  together 
with  the  greater  part  of  the  private  dwellings.  The  ex- 
pedition was  undertaken  without  orders,  and  his  conduct 
in  this  affair,  though  otherwise  a  meritorious  officer,  was 
greatly  reprobated ;  a  court  of  inquiry,  at  which  General 
Scott  presided,  was  instituted.  The  court  decided,  that 
the  destruction  of  the  distilleries  and  mills  might  be  jus- 
tified by  the  usages  of  war,  as  they  furnished  the  British 
troops  with  their  necessary  supplies  ;  but  with  respect  to 
the  other  part  of  his  conduct,  although  excused,  in  some 
measure,  by  the  example  of  the  enemy,  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  villages  on  the  Niagara,  it  was  nevertheless 
condemned. 

Early  in  the  spring,  intelligence  was  received  that  a 
jody  of  regulars,  militia,  and  Indians,  was  collected  on 
ihe  River  Thames.  Captain  Lee  succeeded  in  gaining 
their  rear,  and  made  prisoners  of  several  officers,  and 
among  them  Colonel  Baubee,  who  commanded  a  party  of 
Indians  in  their  depredations  on  the  frontier  of  New- 
York. 

**  A  gallant  affair  was  soon  after  achieved  by  Captain 
Holmes,  a  youth  of  the  most  promising  talents,  and  bro- 
ther to  the  governor  of  the  Mississippi  territory.  With  a 
party  of  obout  one  hundred  and  sixty  rangers  and  mount- 
ed men,  he  proceeded,  on  the  twenty-first  of  February, 
against  some  of  the  enemy's  posts.  About  the  beginning 
of  March,  he  received  intelligence  that  a  British  force, 
which  afterwards  proved  to  be  double  his  own,  was  de- 
scending the  River  Thames. 

Captain  Holmes,  finding  himself  not  in  a  situation  to 
g.ve  battle,  from  the  fatigues  which  his  men  had  already 
encountered,  and  his  ignorance  of  the  strength  of  the 
enemy's  party,  fell  back  a  few  miles,  and  chose  a  strong 
position,  where  he  was  confident  of  being  able  to  defend 
himself  until  he  could  obtain  the  necessary  information  of 
the  British.  He  despatched  a  small  body  of  rangers  fojr 
this  purpose,  but  which  soon  returned,  pursued  by  tns 
enemy,  but  without  being  able  to  learn  his  strength.  The 


324  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

British,  perceiving  the  strength  of  Captain  Holmes'  posi- 
tion, resorted  to  stratagem  for  the  purpose  of  drawing 
him  from  it.  They  feigned  an  attack,  and  then  retreated, 
taking  care  not  to  show  more  than  sixty  or  seventy  men ; 
Captain  Holmes  now  pursued,  but  with  caution ;  and  af- 
ter proceeding  about  five  miles,  discovered  their  main 
body  drawn  up  to  receive  him,  on  which  he  immediately 
returned  to  his  former  position.  Having  disposed  of  his 
troops  in  the  most  judicious  manner,  he  firmly  waited  for 
them  ;  being  protected  in  front  by  a  deep  ravine,  and  the 
approaches  on  the  other  side  somewhat  difficult. 

The  attack  was  commenced  at  the  same  moment  on 
every  point,  with  savage  yells,  and  the  sound  of  bugles, 
the  regulars  charging  up  the  heights  from  the  ravine  ;  the 
other  sides  were  rapidly  assailed  by  militia  and  Indians. 
The  first  approached  within  twenty  paces  of  the  Ameri- 
can lines,  against  a  very  destructive  fire ;  but  the  front 
section  being  cut  to  pieces,  those  who  followed,  severely 
wounded,  and  many  of  their  officers  cut  down,  they  re- 
tired to  the  woods,  within  thirty  or  forty  paces,  and  the 
firing  continued  with  great  spirit  on  both  sides.  The 
American  regulars  being  uncovered,  were  ordered  to 
kneel,  that  the  brow  of  the  heights  might  assist  in  screen- 
ing them  from  the  enemy  ;  but  the  enemy's  covering  was 
insufficient,  a  single  tree  affording  no  shelter  even  to  one, 
from  the  extended  line  of  the  Americans,  much  less  to 
the  squads  that  stood  together. 

On  the  other  sides,  the  attack  was  sustained  with  equal 
coolness*  and  with  considerable  loss  to  the  foe  ;  the  Ame- 
ricans had,  on  three  sides,  thrown  together  some  logs  has- 
tily, and  no  charge  being  made,  they  could  aim  their  pieces 
it  leisure,  with  that  deadly  certainty  which  belongs  to  the 
backwoodsman.  The  British,  after  an  hour  of  hard  fight- 
ing, ordered  a  retreat;  and  as  the  night  approached,  Cap- 
tain Holmes  thought  it  not  advisable  to  pursue ;  besides,  his 
men  were  much  fatigued,  and  many  of  them  had  nearly 
worn  out  their  shoes  on  the  hard  frozen  ground.  The  Ame- 
rican loss  on  this  occasion  <lid  not  amount  to  more  than 
six  killed  and  wounded.  According  to  the  statement  of 
the  British,  their  loss  was  sixty-five  killed  and  wounded, 
besides  Indians.  In  consemience  of  his  good  conduct  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  325 

this  affair,  Captain  Holmes  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
major. 

The  northern  sea  coast,  which  had  thus  far  experienced 
little  molestation  from  the  enemy,  became  the  object  ol 
attack  early  in  the  spring.  On  the  seventh  of  Aprilv 
body  of  sailors  and  marines,  to  the  number  of  two  hun- 
dred, ascended  the  Connecticut  River,  as  far  as  Saybrook, 
where  they  spiked  the  cannon,  and  destroyed  the  ship- 
ping ;  they  proceeded  thence  to  Brockway's  ferry,  where 
they  did  the  same ;  and  afterwards,  unapprehensive  of 
attack,  carelessly  remained  twenty-four  hours.  In  the 
meantime,  a  body  of  militia,  together  with  a  number  of 
marines  and  sailors,  under  Captain  Jones,  and  Lieutenant 
Diddle,  had  collected  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  their 
retreat ;  but  the  British,  taking  advantage  of  a  very  dark 
night,  and  using  muffled  oars,  escaped  to  their'fleet,  after 
having  destroyed  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  worth  of 
shipping. 

About  this  time  the  coasting  trade  was  almost  destroy- 
ed by  a  British  privateer,  the  Liverpool  Packet,  which 
cruised  in  the  sound.  Commodore  Lewis  sailed  with  a 
detachment  of  thirteen  gun-boats,  and  succeeded  in 
chasing  her  off.  On  his  arrival  at  Saybrook,  he  found 
upwards  of  fifty  vessels  bound  to  the  eastward,  but  afraid 
to  venture  out.  The  commodore  consented  to  take  them 
under  convoy,  but  was  not  able  to  promise  them  protec- 
tion against  the  squadron  then  blockading  New-London. 
They,  however,  being  disposed  to  run  the  risk,  he  sailed 
with  them  on  the  twenty-fifth,  and,  m  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day,  was  compelled  to  throw  himself  between  his 
convoy  and  a  British  frigate,  a  sloop  of  war  and  a  tender, 
and  kept  up  a  contest  until  the  coasters  had  safely  reached 
New-London. 

Having  attained  his  object,  he  determined  to  try  what 
he  could  do  with  his  gun-boats  against  the  f  -aemy'g  ship*. 
Furnaces  being  hastily  constructed,  he  began  to  throve  not 
balls  at  the  enemy's  sides,  and  repeatedly  set  their  ships 
on  fire,  without  receiving  any  injury  himself.  The  sloop 
soon  withdrew,  and  the  fire  was  principally  directrd 
against  the  frigate.  One  shot  passed  through  her  ve  \ 
near  her  magazine  :  her  lieutenant,  and  a  srem,  number  *tt 

28 


326  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

her  men  were  already  killed;  her  captain  was  on  the 
point  of  striking,  when  he  observed  that  the  gun-boats 
had  ceased  firing.  The  night  soon  after  coming  on,  the 
gun-boats  desisted  from  the  attack,  determined  to  wait 
until  morning.  At  daylight  they  perceived  the  squadron 
towing  away  ;  it  was  resolved  to  pursue  them,  but  several 
other  frigates  soon  made  their  appearance,  and  put  a  stop 
to  this  design.  This  affair,  together  with  that  of  Crancy 
Island,  revived  the  discussion  on  the  utility  of  gun-boats 
in  the  defence  of  harbours,  and  the  coast.  Great  ser- 
vices had  been  rendered  by  Captain  Lewis,  on  this,  as 
well  as  on  many  other  occasions. 

Formidable  squadrons  were  kept  up  before  the  ports  of 
New- York,  New-London,  and  Boston ;  and  the  whole 
eastern  coast  was  exposed  to  the  enemy.  The  war  was 
carried  on  here  in  a  very  different  manner  from  that  at 
the  south.  Commodore  Hardy  would  not  permit  any 
wanton  outrages  upon  private  property,  or  upon  defence- 
less individuals.  In  spite,  however,  of  his  general  de- 
meanour, there  were  particular  instances  of  the  contrary 
on  the  part  of  the  officers  commanding  smaller  parties, 
and  actuated  by  a  thirst  for  plunder.  At  the  towns  of 
Wareham  and  Scituate,  they  burned  all  the  vessels  at 
their  moorings ;  and,  at  the  former,  they  set  fire  to  an 
extensive  cotton  manufactory.  At  a  place  called  Booth- 
bay,  they  met  with  a  spirited  resistance,  and  were  repeat- 
edly repulsed  in  various  desperate  attacks. 

An  invasion  of  a  more  serious  nature  was  made  in 
July.  On  the  eleventh  of  that  month.  Sir  Thomas  Hardy, 
with  a  strong  force,  made  a  descent  on  Moose  Island, 
and  after  taking  posses»&iuu  ui  i^astport,  declared  all  the 
islands  and  tovvus  on  me  eastern  side  of  Passarnaquoddy 
Bay,  to  appertain  to  nis  I3ritannic  majesty,  and  required 
the  inhabiiams  to  appear  within  seven  days,  and  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance.  About  two  thirds  of  the  inhabitants 
submitted ;  but,  in  the  month  of  August,  the  council  of 
the  province  of  New-Brunswick  declared,  that  notwith- 
standing the  oath  of  allegiance,  they  should  be  consider- 
ed as  a  conquered  people,  and  placed  under  military  go- 
vernment, iiiastport  was  soon  after  strongly  fortified  ; 
tut  it  was  found  extremely  difficult  for  the  enemy  to  sub- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  327 

sist  his  troops,  and  the  desertions  were  so  frequent  as  to 
render  it  almost  impossible  to  keep  up  a  garrison.  •* 

The  commodore  soon  after  sailed  with  a  part  of  his 
squadron,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  Stonington.  The 
appearance  of  this  force  excited  much  alarm,  which  was 
not  diminished  when  they  received  a  message  from  the 
commodore,  to  remove  the  women  and  children,  as  he 
had  received  orders  to  reduce  the  place  to  ashes.  The 
inhabitants,  although  with  very  trifling  means  of  defence, 
determined  to  make  an  attempt  to  save  their  property. — 
The  handful  of  militia  of  the  place  repaired  to  a  smal^ 
battery  erected  on  the  shore,  and  to  a  breastwork  thrown 
up  for  musketry,  and  at  the  same  time  despatched  an  ex- 
press to  obtain  assistance  from  General  Gushing,  com- 
manding at  New-London. 

In  the  evening,  five  barges  and  a  large  launch,  filled 
with  men,  approached  the  shore,  under  cover  of  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  ships.  The  Americans,  reserving  their 
fire  until  the  enemy  were  within  short  grape  distance, 
opened  their  two  eighteen  pounders,  and  soon  compelled 
the  invaders  to  retire  out  of  the  reach  of  their  battery. — 
They  next  proceeded  to  another  part  of  the  town,  which 
they  supposed  defenceless ;  but  a  part  of  the  militia  be- 
ing detached  thither  with  a  six  pounder,  the  barges  were 
again  repulsed  ;  the  enemy  then  retired  to  their  ships,  but 
determined  to  renew  the  attack  in  the  morning;  and,  in 
the  meantime,  kept  up  a  bombardment  until  midnight. 
The  next  morning  it  was  discovered,  that  one  of  the  ene- 
my's vessels  had  approached  within  pistol  shot  of  the  bat- 
tery, and  the  barges  advanced  in  still  greater  numbers 
than  the  day  before  ;  these  were  again  gallantly  repulsed, 
and  the  vessel  driven  from  her  anchorage.  The  squad- 
ron then  renewed  the  bombardment  of  the  town,  but  with- 
out effect ;  and  on  the  twelfth,  the  commodore  though 
proper  to  retire. 

The  inhabitants,  after  this  gallant  defence,  which,  con- 
sidering the  means  with  which  it  was  effected,  and  the 
great  disparity  of  force  opposed  to  them,  deserve  much 
praise,  once  more  occupied  their  dwellings  in  security. 
It  was  not  long  after  this  that  the  British  occupied  all  that 
part  of  the  district  of  Maine,  between  Penobscot  river 


338  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  Passamaquoddy  Bay,  and  declared  it  to  be  held  as  a 
colony. 

On  the  first  of  September,  the  Governor  of  Nova  Sco- 
tia and  Admiral  Griffith  entered  the  Penobscot  River,  and 
took  possession  of  Castine,  which  the  garrison  had  pre- 
viously evacuated.  A  proclamation  was  then  issued,  de- 
claring that  possession  of  that  part  of  the  province  of 
Maine,  east  of  the  Penobscot,  was  formally  taken  in  the 
name  of  his  Britannic  majesty.  The  country,  which  con- 
tained about  thirty  thousand  inhabitants,  was  then  gradu- 
ally occupied,  and  possessed  until  the  conclusion  of  the 
war. 

The  naval  incidents  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen, 
are  as  grateful  to  American  feelings  as  those  of  the  two 
former  years.  An  occurrence  took  place  in  the  very  be- 
ginning of  the  year,  which  afforded  to  us  as  much  cause 
for  triumph,  as  of  mortification  to  the  enemy.  In  the 
month  of  February,  Commodore  Rodgers,  on  his  return 
from  a  cruise  in  the  President,  found  himself  off'  Sandy 
Hook,  within  a  short  distance  of  three  large  British  ships 
of  war,  the  nearest  of  which  was  the  Plantagenet,  a  se- 
venty-four. Believing  that  an  engagement  with  one  or 
all  of  them  was  unavoidable,  he  cleared  his  ship  for  ac- 
tion, determined  not  to  surrender,  without  selling  his 
ship  as  dearly  as  he  could.  But  notwithstanding  lie  fired 
several  guns  to  windward,  as  a  proof  of  his  willingness 
to  engage,  the  British  vessels  did  not  think  proper  to  ap- 
proach, and  he  safely  reached  New-York.  Captain  Lloyd 
of  the  Plantagenet,  after  returning  to  England,  accounted 
for  his  conduct,  by  alleging  a  mutiny  in  his  ship,  and  se- 
veral of  his  sailors  were  executed  on  the  charge. 

Another  affair  took  place  soon  after,  which  furnished  a 
still  stronger  proof  of  the  now  acknowledged  superiority 
of  America  upon  the  ocean,  an  acknowledgment  more 
strongly  expressed  than  by  words.  In  the  month  of 
April,  Captain  Stewart  was  also  on  his  return  in  the  Con- 
stitution, after  a  cruise,  when  he  was  chased  by  two 
British  frigates  and  a  brig,  but  escaped,  by  superior  sea- 
manship, into  Marblehead.  Some  time  before,  after  cap- 
turing the  public  schooner  Pictou,  he  fell  in  with  the  Bri- 
tish frigate  La  Pique,  Captain  Maitland,  who  fled  on  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  329 

approach  of  the  Constitution,  and  finally  escaped  during 
the  night,  after  a  long  chase.  Captain  Maitland  was  com- 
plimented by  the  board  of  admiralty,  for  thus  obeying 
their  instructions,  in  not  fighting  an  American  frigate  sin- 
gly ;  it  having  been  determined,  that  not  less  than  two 
frigates  could  be  a  match  for  an  American. 

The  enemy  had  become  equally  shy  of  the  gun-boat 
flotilla.  Commodore  Lewis  repeatedly  beat  off  the  Bri- 
tish vessels  near  Sandy  Hook,  and  facilitated  the  return 
of  the  American  ships.  The  Regent,  loaded  with  a  very 
valuable  cargo,  was  chased  by  the  Belvidera,  when  Com- 
modore Lewis,  throwing  himself,  with  eleven  of  his  gun- 
boats between  them,  the  frigate  moved  off  without  re- 
turning the  shot  of  the  gun-boats. 

That  brave  and  adventurous  seaman,  Commodore  Por- 
ter, terminated  this  year  his  glorious  cruise  in  the  Pacific. 
From  Lima,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  which  he  had  chas- 
tised the  pirates  of  the  ship  Nereyda,  he  proceeded  to  the 
Gallipagos,  where  he  cruised  from  April,  1813,  until  Oc- 
tober ;  and,  in  the  course  of  that  time,  captured  twelve 
British  armed  whale  ships,  carrying,  in  all,  one  hundred 
and  seven  guns,  and  three  hundred  and  two  men. 

Several  of  these  were  equipped  as  American  cruisers 
and  store-ships ;  and  the  Atlantic,  now  called  the  Essex 
Junior,  of  twenty  guns,  and  sixty  men,  was  assigned  to 
Lieutenant  Dovvnes.  The  prizes  which  were  to  be  laid 
up,  were  convoyed  by  this  officer  to  Valparaiso.  On  his 
return,  he  brought  intelligence  to  Commodore  Porter, 
that  a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  one  frigate,  and  two 
sloops  of  war,  and  a  store  ship  of  twenty  guns,  had  sailed 
in  quest  of  the  Essex.  The  commodore,  having  been 
almost  a  year  at  sea,  with  little  intermission,  found  it  ab- 
solutely necessary  that  his  ship  should  undergo  consider- 
able repairs.  With  this  view  he  steered  to  the  island  of 
Nooaheeva,  or  Madison's  Island,  which  he  so  named  in 
honour  of  the  President. 

Here  he  found  a  fine  bay,  and  a  situation  in  every  re- 
spect suitable  to  his  wishes,  the  inhabitants  apparently 
friendly.  But  it  was  not  long  before  he  found  that  his 
situation  would  be  unsafe,  in  consequence  of  a  war  which 
prevailed  between  the  inhabitants  of  a  neighbouring  vil 
28* 


330  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

lage,  and  those  among  whom  he  had  been  received. 
These  insisted  upon  his  joining  them  in  their  wars,  and 
threatened  to  drive  him  away  if  he  did  not.  The  com- 
modore was  compelled,  by  a  regard  to  his  own  safety,  to 
send  a  party  of  sailors  with  the  natives,  who,  by  their  as* 
sistance,  defeated  their  enemies ;  and,  by  the  interference 
of  the  commodore,  a  peace  wras  brought  about  between 
them.  In  consequence  of  this  the  natives  erected  a  vil- 
lage for  the  commodore,  freely  traded  with  him  for  pro^ 
visions,  and  for  some  time  the  greatest  harmony  prevailed. 

His  safety  was  again  threatened  by  the  conduct  of  the 
Typees,  an  inland  tribe,  one  of  the  most  warlike  on  the 
island,  and  which  still  continued  hostile,  and  who  were 
continually  urging  the  friendly  Indians  to  destroy  the 
strangers. 

The  commodore  found  his  situation"  growing  every  day 
more  critical.  He,  therefore,  resolved  to  pursue  the  course 
necessary  to  ensure  his  safety,  and  which  has  always 
been  held  justifiable  in  our  intercourse  with  uncivilized 
men,  who  are  only  to  be  restrained  from  violence  and  in- 
justice, by  terror.  He  had  succeeded  thus  far  by  peace- 
able means,  and,  by  the  permission  of  the  natives,  in 
placing  his  vessel  in  a  state  to  be  repaired  ;  but  should  the 
tribes  around  him  become  inimical,  (and  what  confidence 
can  any  one  repose  in  the  faith  of  a  savage,  who  regards 
only  force,)  he  might  be  in  greater  danger  in  his  present 
situation. 

He  was  very  unwilling  to  engage  in  war  with  them  ;  to 
prevent  the  necessity  he  sent  them  a  present,  and  request- 
ed that  they  would  remain  quiet,  and  be  at  peace.  This 
had  no  other  effect  than  to  increase  their  insolence  to  the 
Americans,  whom  they  represented  as  a  cowardly  race$ 
or  they  would  not  have  condescended  to  beg  for  peace. 
This  enmity  was  naturally  enough  engendered  by  their 
jealousy  of  the  tribes  who  had  the  benefit  of  the  traffic 
with  the  whites,  and  by  this  means  obtained  articles  from 
them,  according  to  their  estimation,  of  great  value. 

The  commodore  now  discovered  that  his  safety  depend- 
ed entirely  upon  making  these  people  feel  his  strength,  as 
it  was  impossible  for  him,  in  his  present  situation,  to 
leave  the  island  until  his  vessel  could  be  repaired,  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  331 

while  the  greater  part  of  his  effects  were  actually  on  shore. 
He  therefore  set  off.  at  the  head  of  thirty-five  men,  against 
these  people,  determined  to  give  them  battle,  and,  by 
showing  the  efficacy  of  his  weapons,  compel  them  to  be 
at  peace.  The  tribes,  heretofore  friendly,  were  on  the 
point  of  breaking  out  into  hostilities,  and  were  only  in- 
duced to  wait  the  result  of  this  expedition,  of  which  they 
were  little  more  than  silent  spectators.  The  commodore 
had  in  vain  endeavoured  to  convince  them  of  the  destruc- 
tive nature  of  his  fire-arms,  by  shooting  at  rocks  and 
trees ;  war  was  absolutely  unavoidable.  But  the  small 
force  with  which  he  marched,  was  insufficient  to  make  any 
impression. 

Their  country  being  exceedingly  mountainous,  and 
abounding  in  thickets,  rendered  it  easy  for  them  to  es* 
cape.  The  commodore  was  therefore-  compelled  to  re- 
turn in  a  worse  situation  than  before.  To  prevent  the 
friendly  Indians  from  rising,  he  found  it  necessary  to  inform 
them  that  he  would  proceed  the  next  day  with  the  greater 
part  of  his  men.  A  large  body  was  now  marched  across 
the  mountains,  notwithstanding  the  extreme  difficulties  of 
the  route,  and  penetrated  into  their  valley  ;  but  the  natives, 
as  usual,  took  refuge  in  their  inaccessible  fastnesses.  The 
only  mode  of  causing  them  to  feel  the  consequences  of 
their  conduct,  was  in  the  destruction  of  their  villages ; 
nine  of  them  were  accordingly  burnt,  after  which  the  party 
retreated. 

The  Typees  now  gladly  accepted  terms  of  peace,  and 
all  the  tribes  on  the  island,  soon  after,  were  recon- 
ciled to  each  other ;  a  circumstance  which  the  oldest 
amongst  them  did  not  recollect  to  have  seen ;  and  they 
vied  with  each  other  in  friendship  towards  the  whites 
while  the  commodore  remained. 

We  have  now  to  record  a  most  singular  fact,  and  one 
which  speaks  volumes  for  the  prowess  of  our  little  navy. 

During  the  third  year,  every  naval  combat,  without  a 
single  exception,  Avhere  there  was  any  thing  like  an 
equality  of  force,  terminated  in  favour  of  the  Americans. 
The  sloop  of  war  Peacock,  launched  in  October,  performed 
a  cruise  during  the  winter,  and  on  her  return  was  chased 
into  St.  Mary's.  She  soon  after  put  to  sea  again,  and  on 


332  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  twenty-ninth  of  April  discovered  the  brig  of  war  Epef- 
vier,  Captain  Wales,  having  several  vessels  under  con- 
voy. Captain  Warrington  engaged  the  Epervier,  while 
the  others  were  making  their  escape.  At  the  first  broad- 
side, the  foreyard  of  the  Peacock  was  totally  disabled  by 
two  round  shot  in  the  starboard  quarter.  By  this  she  wras 
deprived  of  the  use  of  her  fore  and  fore-topsail,  and  was 
obliged  to  keep  aloof  during  the  remainder  of  the  action, 
which  lasted  forty-two  minutes.  In  this  time  she  received 
considerable  damage  in  her  rigging,  but  her  hull  was  not 
at  all  injured. 

The  Epervier  struck,  having  five  feet  water  in  her  hold, 
her  topmasts  over  her  side,  her  main  boom  shot  away,  her 
foremast  cut  nearly  in  two,  her  rigging  and  stays  shot  away, 
her  hull  pierced  by  forty-five  shot,  twenty  of  which  were 
within  a  foot  of  her  water  line.  Eleven  of  her  crew  Avere 
killed,  and  her  first  lieutenant  and  fourteen  men  wounded. 
She  was  immediately  taken  possession  of  by  Lieutenant 
Nicholson,  first  olficer  of  the  Peacock,  who,  with  Lieu- 
tenant Vorhees,  of  the  same  ship,  had  been  already  dis- 
tinguished in  another  naval  action.  The  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred and  eighteen  thousand  dollars  in  specie  was  found  in 
her,  and  transferred  to  the  Peacock.  Captain  Warrington 
immediately  repaired,  with  his  prize,  to  one  of  the  south- 
ern ports. 

The  day  following,  the  captain  discovered  two  frigates 
in  chase.  At  the  suggestion  of  Lieutenant  Nicholson,  he 
took  all  the  prisoners  on  board  the  Peacock,  and  leaving 
a  sufficient  number  on  board  the  Epervier  for  the  purpose 
of  navigating  her,  he  directed  her  to  seek  the  nearest  port. 
By  skilful  seamanship  the  captain  succeeded  in  escaping 
from  the  enemy's  ships,  and  reached  Savannah,  where  he 
found  his  prize.  Lieutenant  Nicholson,  by  his  good  ma- 
nagement, had  brought  her  in,  after  encountering  very 
great  difficulties. 

The  new  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  Captain  Blakeley,  sailed 
from  Portsmouth  on  the  first  of  May,  and  after  capturing 
seven  merchantmen,  fell  in  with  the  British  brig  of  war 
the  Reindeer,  Captain  Manners,  which  she  captured  after 
an  action  of  eighteen  minutes.  On  the  sixth  of  July,  be- 
ing in  chase  of  two  vessels,  he  discovered  the  Reindeer 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  333 

and  immediately  altered  his  course,  and  hauled  by  the 
wind  in  chase  of  her.  At  fifteen  minutes  past  one,  Cap- 
tain Blakeley  prepared  for  action  ;  but  it  was  not  before 
fifteen  minutes  after  three,  in  consequence  of  their  ma- 
noeuvring, and  the  endeavours  of  the  Reindeer  to  escape, 
that  they  approached  sufficiently  near  to  engage.  Seve- 
ral guns  were  fired  from  the  Wasp  before  her  antagonist 
could  bring  her  guns  to  bear;  her  helm  was  then  put 
alee,  and  at  twenty-six  minutes  after  three,  Captain 
Blakeley  commenced  the  action  with  his  after  carronades 
on  the  starboard  side,  and  fired  in  succession.  Shortly 
after,  the  larboard  bow  coming  in  contact  with  the  Wasp, 
Captain  Manners  gave  orders  to  board,  but  the  attempt 
was  gallantly  repulsed  by  the  crew  of  the  Wasp,  and  the 
enemy  was  several  times  repelled;  at  forty-four  minutes 
past  three,  orders  were  given  to  board  in  turn.  Throw- 
ing themselves  with  promptitude  upon  her  deck,  they 
succeeded  in  the  execution  of  their  orders ;  and,  at  forty 
minutes  past  four  the  flag  of  the  enemy's  ship  came 
down.  She  was  almost  cut  to  pieces,  and  half  her  crew 
was  killed  and  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Wasp  was  five 
killed,  and  twenty-one  wounded ;  among  the  latter,  Mid- 
shipmen Langdon  and  Toscan,  both  of  whom  expired 
some  days  after.  The  Reindeer  having  been  found  alto- 
gether unmanageable,  was  blown  up,  and  Captain  Blakeley 
steered  for  L'Orient,  to  provide  for  the  wounded  of  both 
crews. 

After  leaving  L'Orient,  and  capturing  two  valuable  Bri- 
tish merchantmen.  Captain  Blakeley  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of 
ten  sail,  under  convoy  of  the  Armada  seventy-four,  and  a 
bomb  ship.  He  stood  for  them,  and  succeeded  in  cutting 
out  of  the  squadron  a  brig  laden  with  brass  and  iron  can- 
non, and  military  stores,  from  Gibraltar ;  after  taking  out 
the  prisoners,  and  setting  her  on  fire,  he  endeavoured  to 
cut  out  another,  but  was  chased  off  by  the  seventy-four. 
In  the  evening,  at  half  past  six,  he  descried  two  vessels, 
one  on  his  starboard,  and  one  on  his  larboard  bow,  and 
hauled  for  that  which  was  farthest  to  windward.  At 
seven  she  was  discovered  to  be  a  brig  of  war,  and  at 
twenty-nine  minutes  past  nine  she  was  under  the  lee  bow 
of  the  Wasp.  An  action  soon  after  commenced,  which 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

lasted  until  ten  o'clock,  when  Captain  Blakeley,  supposing 
his  antagonist  to  be  silenced,  ceased  firing,  and  demanded 
if  he  had  surrendered.  No  answer  being  returned,  he 
commenced  firing,  and  the  enemy  returned  broadside  for 
broadside  for  twelve  minutes,  when,  perceiving  that  the  two 
last  were  not  returned,  he  hailed  again,  and  was  informed 
that  she  was  sinking,  and  that  her  commander  had  struck. 

Before  the  Wasp's  boat  could  be  lowered,  a  second 
brig  of  war  was  discovered  :  the  crew  were  instantly  sent 
to  their  quarters,  and  the  Wasp  was  standing  to  for  the 
approach  of  the  stranger,  wrhen  two  other  brigs  appeared; 
he  now  made  sail,  and  endeavoured  to  draw  the  first  one 
after  him,  but  without  effect.  The  name  of  the  prize  has 
since  been  ascertained  to  have  been  the  Avon,  Captain 
Arbuthnot,  of  the  same  force  as  the  Reindeer.  She  sunk 
immediately  after  the  last  man  had  been  taken  out  of  her. 
She  had  eight  killed,  and  thirty-one  wounded,  including 
her  captain,  and  several  other  officers. 

The  Wasp  soon  repaired  her  damage,  and  continued 
on  her  cruise.  On  the  twenty-first  of  September,  she 
captured,  off  the  Madeiras,  her  thirteenth  prize,  the  Bri- 
tish brig  Atalanta,  of  eight  guns,  and  the  only  one  she  sent 
into  port.  The  return  of  this  vessel,  after  her  brilliant 
cruise,  was  for  along  time  fondly  looked  for  by  our  coun- 
try ;  but  all  hope  has  at  last  vanished  of  ever  seeing  her 
again.  There  is  but  little  doubt  that  the  brave  comman 
der,  and  the  gallant  crew,  have  found  a  common  grave  in 
the  waste  of  ocean  ;  but  they  will  always  live  in  the  fond 
gratitude  and  recollection  of  their  country. 

The  loss  of  the  frigate  President  was  severely  felt  at 
the  time,  of  which  the  following  is  an  unvarnished  tale. 

The  blockade  of  Commodore  Decatur's  squadron,  at 
New-London,  having  been  continued  until  after  the  sea- 
son had  passed  in  which  there  existed  any  prospect  of 
escape,  the  ships  were  ordered  up  the  river,  and  dispersed, 
while  the  commodore,  with  his  crew,  were  transferred  to 
the  President,  then  at  New- York.  A  cruise  was  contem- 
plated, in  conjunction  with  the  Peacock,  the  Hornet,  and 
the  Tom  Bowline  store  ship.  The  commodore,  thinking 
it  more  safe  to  venture  out  singly,  appointed  a  place  of 
rendezvous,  and  ordered  the  other  vessels  to  follow.  In 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  335 

consequence  of  the  negligence  of  the  pilot,  the  President 
struck  upon  the  bar,  and  remained  there  thumping  for  two 
hours,  by  which  her  ballast  was  deranged,  and  her  trim 
for  sailing  entirely  lost.  The  course  of  the  \vind  pre- 
vented from  returning  into  port ;  he  put  to  sea,  trusting  to 
the  excellence  of  his  vessel.  At  daylight  he  fell  in  with 
a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  the  Endymion,  Tenedos 
and  Pomone  frigates,  and  the  Majestic  razee.  In  spite 
of  every  exertion  they  gained  upon  him ;  the  foremost, 
the  Endymion,  got  close  under  his  quarters  and  com- 
menced firing.  The  commodore  determined  to  bear  up 
and  engage  her,  with  the  intention  of  carrying  her  by 
boarding,  and  afterwards  escaping  in  her,  and  abandon- 
ing his  own  ship.  In  this  he  was  prevented  by  the  ma- 
nceuvering  of  the  enemy,  who  protracted  the  engagement 
for  two  hours,  until  the  rest  of  the  squadron  were  fast 
gaining  upon  them. 

He  now  assailed  the  Endymion,  and  in  a  short  time 
completely  silenced  her,  leaving  her  a  wreck.  The  Pre- 
sident was  also  considerably  damaged,  having  lost  twenty- 
five  men,  killed  and  wounded ;  among  the  former,  Lieu- 
tenant Babit  and  Hamilton,  and  acting  Lieutenant  Howell ; 
among  the  latter,  the  commodore  himself,  and  midship- 
man Dale,  who  afterwards  died.  On  the  approach  of  the 
squadron,  the  gallant  commodore,  unwilling  to  sacrifice 
the  lives  of  his  men  in  a  useless  contest,  on  receiving  the 
fire  of  the  nearest  frigate,  surrendered.  On  this  occasion 
we  cannot  pass  in  sile'nce  the  dishonourable  conduct  of 
the  British  officers  of  the  navy,  where  such  ought  least  to 
have  been  expected. 

The  generous  and  heroic  character  of  Decatur  is  ac- 
knowledged wherever  the  American  flag  is  known,  and 
requires  no  testimony  in  its  support,  for  the  British  therr- 
selves  have  often  declared  their  admiration  of  this  chival- 
rous officer.  The  commodore  was  taken  on  board  the 
Endymion,  for  the  purpose  of  acting  the  miserable  farce 
of  surrendering  his  sword  to  the  officer  of  a  frigate  of  equal 
size,  but  which  would  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
commodore,  but  for  the  approach  of  the  squadron.  De- 
catur indignantly  refused  to  give  up  his  sword  to  any 
one  but  the  commander  of  the  squadron.  Another  arti 


336  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

fice  was  actually  resorted  to,  in  order  to  satisfy  the 
good  people  of  England  that  the  President  was  a  se- 
venty-four in  disguise :  she  was  lightened,  laid  in  dock, 
along  side  of  an  old  seventy-four,  diminished  to  appear- 
ance by  being  deeply  laden.  Thus,  it  seems,  a  British 
frigate  had  captured  an  American  seventy-four.  The 
naval  superiority  of  Great  Britain  was  therefore  no  longer 
doubted. 

The  following  account  of  several  naval  victories  seems 
almost  incredible,  but  they  are  too  well  authenticated  to 
leave  a  doubt  on  the  mind  of  those  who  are  willing  to 
credit  on  the  best  of  human  testimony. 

Not  the  least  among  the  exploits  of  our  naval  heroes, 
was  the  capture  of  two  of  the  enemy's  ships  of  war  by 
the  Constitution,  Captain  Stewart.  Having  sailed  on  a 
cruise,  he  discovered  two  ships,  one  of  which  bore  up  for  the 
Constitution,  but  soon  after  changed  her  course,  to  join  her 
consort.  The  Constitution  gave  chase  to  both,  and  at  six 
P.  M.  ranged  ahead  of  the  sternmost,  brought  her  on  the 
quarter,  her  consort  on  the  bow,  and  bpened  a  broadside, 
which  was  immediately  returned.  An  exchange  of  broad- 
sides continued  until  both  ships  were  enveloped  in  smoke, 
upon  the  clearing  away  of  which,  the  Constitution  finding 
herself  abreast  of  the  headmost  ship,  Captain  Stewart  or- 
dered both  sides  to  be  manned,  backed  topsails,  and  drop- 
ped into  his  first  position. 

The  ship  on  the  bow  backed  sails  also.  The  Constitu- 
tion's broadsides  were  then  fired  from  the  larboard  batte- 
ry, and  in  a  few  moments  the  ship  on  the  bow,  perceiving 
her  error  in  getting  sternboard,  filled  away  with  the  in- 
tention of  tacking  athwart  the  bows  of  the  Constitution, 
while  the  other  fell  off  entirely  unmanageable.  The  Con- 
stitution then  filled  away  in  pursuit  of  the  former,  and 
coming  within  a  hundred  yards,  gave  her  several  raking 
broadsides,  and  so  crippled  her  that  no  further  apprehen- 
sions were  entertained  of  her  ability  to  escape  ;  the  cap- 
tain therefore  returned  to  the  first  which  immediately 
struck.  Possession  was  then  taken  of  her  ay  L  aitenant 
Hoffman,  and  proved  to  be  the  frigs*p  *>««*»  Captain 
Gordon  Falcon,  of  thirty-four  guns. 

Captain  Stewart  then  steered  in  pursuit  ^  it  e  other 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  337 

vessel,  and  after  a  short  resistance,  in  which*she  suffered 
considerably,  she  struck,  with  five  feet  water  in  her  hold. 
She  proved  to  be  the  sloop  of  war  Levant,  of  eighteen 
thirty-two  pound  carronades.  The  loss  on  board  the  two 
ships  amounted  to  about  eighty  in  killed  and  wounded ; 
on  board  the  Constitution  there  were  four  killed  and  ele- 
ven wounded  ;  but  the  ship  received  a  very  trifling  injury. 
On  the  tenth  of  March,  Captain  Stewart  entered  the  har- 
bour of  Port  Praya  with  his  prizes,  and  on  the  eleventh, 
a  British  squadron  of  two  sixty  gun  ships  and  a  frigate 
appeared  off  the  entrance  of  the  harbour  ;  Captain  Stew- 
art, having  no  faith  in  his  security  in  this  neutral  port, 
made  sail  with  his  prize,  the  Cyane,  and  though  closely 
pursued,  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape  into  the  United 
States.  The  Levant  was  recaptured  in  a  Portuguese 
port,  in  contempt  of  the  neutral  state.  These  are  acts  of 
injustice  in  which  no  nation  can  ever  prosper. 

The  Peacock,  Hornet,  and  Tom  Bowline,  left  New- 
York  a  few  days  after  the  President,  without  having  re- 
ceived information  of  her  capture.  On  the  23d  of  Janu- 
ary, 1815,  the  Hornet  parted  company,  and  directed  her 
course  to  Tristan  d'Acuna,  the  place  of  rendezvous.  On 
the  23d  of  March,  she  descried  the  British  brig  Penguin, 
Captain  Dickinson,  of  eighteen  guns  and  a  twelve  pound 
carronade,  to  the  eastward  and  southward  of  the  island. 
Captain  Bicldle  hove  to,  while  the  Penguin  bore  down  ; 
at  forty  minutes  past  one,  the  British  vessel  commenced 
the  engagement.  The  firing  was  hotly  kept  up  for  fifteen 
minutes,  the  Penguin  gradually  nearing  the  Hornet  with 
the  intention  to  board,  her  captain  having  given  orders 
for  this  purpose,  but  was  killed  by  a  grape  shot ;  her  lieu- 
tenant then  bore  her  up,  and  running  her  bowsprit  be- 
tween the  main  and  mizzen  rigging  of  the  Hornet,  gave 
orders  to  board.  His  men,  however,  perceiving  the  crew 
of  the  Hornet  ready  to  receive  them,  refused  to  follow  him. 

At  this  moment,  the  heavy  swell  of  the  sea  lifted  the 
Hornet  ahead,  and  the  enemy's  bowsprit  carried  away 
her  mizzen  shrouds  and  spanker  boom,  and  the  Penguin 
hung  upon  the  Hornet's  quarter.,  with  the  loss  of  her  fore- 
mast and  bowsprit.  Her  commander  then  called  out  that 
he  had  surrendered  ;  and  Captain  Biddle  ordered  his  men 

29 


338  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

to  cease  firiftg.  At  this  moment  an  officer  of  the  Hornet 
called  to  Captain  Biddle,  that  a  man  was  taking  aim  at  him 
in  the  enemy's  shrouds  ;  he  had  scarcely  changed  his  po- 
sition, when  a  musket  ball  struck  him  in  the  neck,  and 
wounded  him  severely.  Two  marines  immediately  level- 
led their  pieces  at  the  wretch,  and  killed  him  before  he 
brought  his  gun  from  his  shoulder.  The  Penguin  had. 
by  that  time,  got  clear  of  the  Hornet,  and  the  latter  wore 
round  to  give  the  enemy  a  fresh  broadside,  when  they 
cried  out  a  second  time  that  they  had  surrendered.  It 
was  with  great  difficulty  that  Captain  Biddle  could  re- 
strain his  crew,  who  were  exasperated  at  the  conduct  of 
the  enemy. 

In  twenty-two  minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the 
action,  she  was  taken  possession  of  by  Lieutenant  Mayo, 
of  the  Hornet.  The  Penguin  was  so  much  injured,  that 
Captain  Biddle  determined  on  taking  out  her  crew  and 
scuttling  her ;  and  afterwards  sent  off  his  prisoners  by 
the  Tom  Bowline,  which  by  this  time  had  joined  him  with 
the  Peacock.  The  enemy  lost  fourteen  in  killed,  and 
twenty-eight  wounded  ;  the  Hornet,  one  killed  and  eleven 
wounded  ;  among  the  latter,  her  Lieutenant,  Conner,  dan- 
gerously. 

Captain  Biddle,  being  compelled  to  part  from  the  Pea- 
cock by  the  appearance  of  a  British  ship  of  the  line,  after 
being  closely  pursued  for  several  days,  effected  his  escape 
into  St.  Salvador,  where  the  news  of  peace  soon  after  ar- 
rived. The  capture  of  the  Cyane,  the  Levant,  and  the 
Penguin,  took  place  before  the  expiration  of  the  time  li- 
mited by  the  second  article  of  the  treaty  of  peace. 

The  exploit?  of  the  privateers  continued  to  rival  those 
of  our  national  vessels.  In  one  instance  the  enemy  was 
compelled  to  pay  dearly  for  his  disregard  of  the  sanctua- 
ry of  a  neutral  port.  The  privateer  Armstrong  lay  at 
anchor  in  the  harbour  of  Fayal,  when  a  British  squadron, 
consisting  of  the  Carnation,  the  Plantagenet,  and  the 
Rota,  hove  in  sight.  Captain  Reid,  of  the  privateer,  dis- 
covering, by  the  light  of  the  moon,  that  the  enemy  kad 
put  out  his  barges,  and  was  preparing  to  attack  him, 
cleared  for  action,  and  moved  near  the  shore.  Four 
boats,  filled  with  men,  approached,  and  making  no  answer 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  339 

on  being  hailed,  a  fire  was  opened  upon  them,  which  was 
returned,  but  they  soon  called  out  for  quarters,  and  were 
permitted  to  haul  off.  They  then  prepared  for  a  more 
formidable  attack;  the  privateer  was  now  anchored  within 
a  cable's  length  of  the  shore,  and  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
castle. 

The  next  day  they  sent  a  fleet  of  boats,  supported  by 
the  Carnation,  which  stood  before  the  harbour,  to  prevent 
the  escape  of  the  privateer.  At  midnight  the  boats  ap- 
proached a  second  time,  to  the  number  of  twelve  or  four- 
teen, manned  with  several  hundred  men.  They  were 
suffered  to  approach  along  side  of  the  privateer ;  and, 
without  waiting  an  attack,  they  were  assailed  with  such 
astonishing  fury,  that,  in  forty  minutes,  scarcely  a  man  of 
them  was  left  alive.  During  these  attacks  the  shores 
were  lined  with  the  inhabitants,  who,  from  the  brightness 
of  the  moon,  had  a  full  view  of  the  scene.  The  gover- 
.nor,  with  the  first  people  of  the  place,  stood  by  and  saw 
the  whole  affair.  After  the  second  attack,  the  governor 
sent  a  note  to  the  commander  of  the  Plantagenet,  Cap- 
tain Lloyd,  requesting  him  to  desist,  but  was  answered, 
that  he  determined  to  have  the  privateer  at  the  risk  of 
knocking  down  the  town. 

The  American  consul  having  communicated  this  infor- 
mation to  Captain  Reid,  he  ordered  his  crew  to  save  their 
effects  as  fast  as  possible,  and  to  carry  the  dead  and 
wounded  on  shore.  At  daylight  the  Carnation  stood  close 
to  the  Armstrong,  and  commenced  a  heavy  fire ;  but  being 
considerably  cut  up  by  the  privateer,  she  hauled  off  to  re- 
pair. Captain  Reid  now  thinking  it  useless  to  protract 
the  contest,  on  her  re-appearance,  scuttled  his  vessel,  and 
escaped  to  shore.  The  British  loss  amounted  to  the 
astonishing  number  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  thirty  wounded ;  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans was  only  two  killed  and  seven  wounded.  Several 
houses  in  the  town  were  destroyed,  and  some  of  the  in- 
habitants wounded. 

Before  closing  this  chapter,  it  may  not  be  improper  to 
make  a  few  remarks  on  war  generally.  In  its  most  civi- 
lized modes  of  destruction,  it  is,  indeed,  a  dreadful 
scourge.  The  distress  which  it  occasions  is  incalculable 


340  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  immeasurable  ;  and  we  may  venture  a  declaration, 
that  all  the  benefit  ever  derived  from  the  practice  of  mu- 
tual destruction,  can  never  balance  the  evils,  even  could 
they  be  realized. 

That  the  mode  of  savage  warfare  is  more  dreadful  than 
that  of  the  more  civilized,  is  undoubted ;  but  the  inference 
is  not,  therefore,  in  favour  of  hostilities  in  any  degree. 
That  the  loss  of  blood,  and  treasure,  and  moral  feeling, 
are  more  than  a  fair  equivalent  for  any  supposed  benefits 
in  expectation,  is  evident  to  every  reflecting  mind,  even 
without  bringing  int$  the  account  the  dreadful  inroads 
which  it  makes  in  the  domestic  circle.  But,  if  we  add  to 
this  the  violence  which  it  does  to  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion,  who  shall  fathom  it  ? 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Operations  of  the  Army  on  the  Frontiers. 

General  Brown,  and  his  officers,  .were  employed  in  dis- 
ciplining the  troops,  and  collecting  forces,  destined  to  dis- 
lodge the  British  from  the  American  posts  which  they 
still  occupied.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  the'  American 
forces  amounted  to  but  two  brigades  of  regulars,  and  one 
of  New-York  volunteers,  under  Generals  Porter  and 
Swift,  with  a  few  Indians. 

In  the  meantime,  the  force  of  the  enemy,  under  Gene- 
ral Drurnmond,  had  been  greatly  increased,  by  the  addi- 
tion of  a  number  of  veteran  regiments,  which,  since  the 
pacification  of  Europe,  Great  Britain  had  been  enabled  to 
send  to  this  country. 

The  first  attack  was  on  Fort  Erie,  which  was  garrisoned 
by  one  hundred  and  seventy  men,  which  was  taken  by 
surprise.  The  second  attempt  was  upon  Major  General 
Riall,  who  occupied  an  entrenched  camp  at  Chippewa. 
This  led  to  the  first  regular  pitched  battle  during  the  war, 
and  victory  declared  for  the  Americans,  and  the  British 
were  compelled  to  retire  into  the  camp. 

The  events  of  the  war  now  began  to  thicken,  and  its 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  341 

character  assumed  the  most  sanguinary  aspect.  The  vic- 
tory already  obtained  by  the  Americans  over  men  supe- 
rior in  numbers  and  discipline,  enraged  General  -Drum- 
mond  to  madness.  But  the  enemy  was  obliged  to  fall 
back  to  Queenstown,  and  finally  took  post  at  Burlington 
Heights.  The  flush  of  victory  on  one  side,  and  the  pride 
of  military  glory  on  the  other,  led  to  deeds  of  intrepid 
daring  unexampled  in  the  former  progress  of  the  war. 
Skirmishing  was  constant  and  severe,  and  every  move- 
ment seemed  to  be  of  a  decisive  character.  In  these  ren- 
contres, the  loss  on  both  sides,  especially  of  officers,  was 
very  great. 

A  specimen  of  the  obstinate  perseverance  of  the  Ame- 
rican troops,  was  exhibited  near  the  cataracts  of  Niagara, 
\vhich  has  few  parallels.  The  enemy  occupied  an  emi- 
nence well  fortified,  and  defended  by  thrice  the  number 
of  men  mustered  by  the  Americans,  while  the  latter  sus- 
tained the  unequal  conflict  more  than  an  hour,  when 
orders  were  given  to  advance,  and  charge  the  enemy's 
heights,  and  break  the  British  line.  But  the  order  was 
countermanded. 

The  British  now  pressed  forward  on  the  ninth,  which, 
with  wonderful  firmness,  withstood  the  attack  of  their 
overwhelming  numbers  ;  but  reduced  at  length  to  nearly 
one  half,  and  being  compelled,  at  every  moment,  to  repel 
fresh  charges  of  the  British,  Colonel  Leavenworth  de- 
spatched a  messenger  to  General  Scott,  to  communicate 
its  condition.  The  general  rode  up  in  person,  roused  the 
flagging  spirits  of  his  brave  men  with  the  pleasing  intelli- 
gence that  reinforcements  were  expected  every  moment, 
and  besought  them  to  hold  their  ground. 

Lieutenant  Riddle,  already  well  known  as  a  reconnoi- 
tering  officer,  was  the  first  to  come  to  the  assistance  of 
his  fellow  soldiers,  having  been  drawn  to  the  place  by  the 
sound  of  the  cannon  while  out  with  a  scouting  party. 
The  same  circumstance  induced  General  Brown  to  pro- 
ceed rapidly  to  the  scene  of  action,  giving  orders  to  Ge- 
neral Ripley  to  follow  with  the  second  brigade.  On  his 
way  he  was  met  by  Major  Jones,  and,  from  his  informa- 
tion, he  was  induced  to  order  up  General  Porter,  with  the 
volunteers  together  with  the  artillery. 

29* 


342  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

So  far,  the  Americans  had  repelled  every  attack  with 
the  most  unyielding  courage,  but  the  situation  of  the  bri- 
gade was  very  critical.  The  desperate  efforts  of  the 
troops  led  General  Riall  to  overrate  the  numbers  to  which 
he  was  opposed,  and  he  sent  to  General  Drummond  for 
reinforcements. 

About  this  time  an  awful  pause  ensued  between  the  two 
armies ;  for  a  time  no  sound  broke  upon  the  stillness  of 
the  night,  but  the  groans  of  the  wounded,  mingling  with 
the  distant  din  of  the  cataract  of  Niagara.  The  shattered 
regiments  were  consolidated  into  one  brigade,  and  placed 
as  a  reserve  under  Colonel  Brady,  who,  though  severely 
wounded,  refused  to  quit  the  field.  The  silence  was  once 
more  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  General  Ripley's  bri- 
gade, Major  Hindrnan's  artillery,  and  General  Porter's 
volunteers,  and,  at  the  same  time,  of  General  Drummond, 
with  reinforcements. 

In  the  meantime,  that  accomplished  young  officer, 
Major  Jessup,  who  had  been  ordered,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  action,  to  take  post  on  the  right,  had  succeeded,  during 
the  engagement,  after  encountering  great  difficulty,  in 
turning  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy.  At  the  present  mo- 
ment, taking  ad  vantage -of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and 
the  incaution  of  the  enemy,  he  threw  his  regiment  in  the 
rear  of  their  reserve,  and,  surprising  one  detachment  after 
another,  made  prisoners  of  so  many  of  their  officers  and 
men,  that  his  progress  was  greatly  impeded.  The  laws 
of  war  would  have  justified  him  in  putting  them  to  death; 
"  but  the  laurel,  in  his  opinion,  was  most  glorious  when 
entwined  by  the  hand  of  mercy;"  he,  therefore,  spared 
them,  under  circumstances  where  they  certainly  would 
not  have  spared  him. 

One  of  his  officers,  Captain  Ketchum,  had  the  good 
fortune  to  make  prisoner  of  General  Riall,  and  of  the  aid 
of  General  Drummond ;  the  latter  a  most  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance, as  it  prevented  the  concentration  of  the  Bri- 
tish force,  contemplated  by  that  officer,  before  the  Ameri- 
cans were  prepared  for  his  reception.  After  disposing  of 
his  prisoners,  Major  Jessup  felt  his  way  to  the  place 
where  the  hottest  fire  was  kept  up  on  the  brigade  to  which 
he  belonged,  and  drew  up  his  regiment  behind  a  fence  on 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  343 

the  side  of  the  Queenstown  road,  but  in  the  rear  of  a 
party  of  British  infantry,  drawn  up  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  same  road  ;  he  suddenly  gave  them  a  destructive 
fire,  on  which  they  broke  and  fled.  "  The  major,"  says 
General  Brown,  "showed  himself  to  his  own  army  in  a 
blaze  of  fire."  He  was  ordered  to  form  on  the  right  of 
the  second  brigade. 

The  following  instance  of  generalship,  by  which  this 
sanguinary  contest  was  decided,  is  of  so  daring  a  nature, 
and  so  completely  developes  the  American  character,  that 
it  will  be  inserted  entire. 

General  Ripley's  brigade  had  by  this  time  been  formed 
for  action,  when  orders  were  given  for  it  to  advance  to  the 
support  of  General  Scott,  against  whom  a  fire  wTas  now 
directed,  which  he  could  not  long  withstand.  General 
Ripley,  with  the  quick  discernment  which  characterizes 
the  real  commander,  seeing  that  too  much  time  would  be 
lost  before  he  could  make  his  way  through  the  skirt  of 
the  woods  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  decided  at  once, 
upon  his  own  responsibility,  to  adopt  the  only  measure 
from  which  he  saw  a  hope  ;  and  which  being  made  known 
to  the  commander  in  chief,  he  instantly  sanctioned. 

The  enemy's  artillery  occupied  a  hill,  which  was  the 
key  to  the  whole  position,  and  it  would  be  in  vain  to  hope 
for  victory,  while  they  were  permitted  to  retain  it. 

Addressing  himself  to  Colonel  Miller,  he  inquired, 
whether  he  could  storm  the  batteries  at  the  head  of  the 
twenty-first,  while  he  would  himself  support  him  with 
the  younger  regiment,  the  twenty-third.  To  this  the 
wary  but  intrepid  veteran  replied,  in  an  unaffected  phrase, 
I  WILL  TRY,  SIR  ; — words,  which  were  afterwards  given 
as  the  motto  of  his  regiment. 

The  twenty-third  was  formed  in  close  column,  under 
its  commander,  Major  M'Farland,  and  the  first  regiment, 
under  Colonel  Nicholas,  was  left  to  keep  the  enemy  in 
check.  The  two  regiments  moved  on  to  one  of  the  most 
perilous  charges  ever  attempted  ;  the  whole  of  the  artil- 
lery opened  upon  them  as  they  advanced,  supported  by  a 
powerful  line  of  infantry.  The  twenty-first  advanced 
steadily  to  its  purpose ;  the  twenty-third  faltered  on  re- 
ceiving the  deadly  fire  of  the  enemy,  but  was  soon  rallied 


344  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

by  the  personal  exertions  of  General  Ripley.  When 
within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  summit,  they  received  an- 
other dreadful  discharge,  by  which  Major  M'Farland  was 
killed,  and  the  command  devolved  on  Major  Brooks.  To 
the  amazement  of  the  British,  the  intrepid  Miller  firmly 
advanced,  until  within  a  few  paces  of  their  line,  when  he 
impetuously  charged  upon  the  artillery,  which,  after  a 
short  but  desperate  resistance,  yielded  their  whole  bat- 
tery, and  the  American  line  was  in  a  moment  formed  in 
the  rear,  upon  the  ground  previously  occupied  by  the  Bri- 
tish infantry. 

During  the  charge,  General  Riall  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  the  effect  may  easily  be  imagined.  But  this  brilliant 
exploit  seemed  to  spur  on  the  enemy  to  redoubled  exer- 
tions. Being  reinforced,  the  British  marched  with  quick 
step  on  the  Americans,  who  reserved  their  fire  until  it 
could  become  deadly.  The  whole  British  division  came 
within  twenty  paces  of  the  lines,  when  the  well  directed 
fire  from  our  troops  put  them  into  confusion.  But  they 
rallied  to  the  attack,  and  the  conflict  became  tremendous. 
But  the  enemy  yielded,  and  retired  down  the  hill.  The 
contest  was,  however,  soon  renewed  by  the  British,  with 
the  same  results. 

Disheartened  by  these  repeated  defeats,  the  British  were 
on  the  point  of  yielding  the  contest,  when  they  received 
fresh  reinforcements  from  fort  Niagara,  which  revived 
their  spirits,  and  induced  them  to  make  another  and  still 
more  desperate  struggle.  After  taking  an  hour  to  refresh 
themselves,  and  recovering  from  their  fatigue,  they  ad- 
vanced with  a  new  and  more  extended  line,  and  with  con- 
fident hopes  of  being  able  to  overpower  the  Americans, 
who  thus  far  had  been  denied  both  refreshment  and  re- 
pose. 

Our  countrymen  had  stood  to  their  arms  during  all  this 
time,  their  canteens  exhausted,  and  many  almost  fainting 
with  thirst ;  and,  from  the  long  interval,  they  had  begun 
to  cherish  hopes  that  the  enemy  had  yielded.  In  this 
they  were  disappointed  ;  but  on  discovering  the  approach 
of  the  British,  their  courageous  spirit  returned,  and  they 
resolved  never  to  yield  the  glorious  trophies  of  their  vic- 
tory, until  they  could  contend  no  longer. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  345 

The  British  delivered  their  fire  at  the  same  distance  as 
on  the  last  onset,  which  was  returned  by  the  Americans 
with  the  same  deadly  effect;  but  they  did  "not  fall  back 
with  the  same  precipitation;  a  fresh  line  supplied  the 
place  of  the  first,  and  the  whole  steadily  advanced. 

A  conflict,  dreadful  beyond  description,  ensued ;  the 
twenty-first,  under  its  brave  leader,  firmly  withstood  the 
shock.  The  right  and  left  repeatedly  fell  back,  but  were 
again  rallied  by  the  general,  by  Colonels  Miller,  Nicholas, 
and  Jessup.  At  length  the  two  lines  closed  with  each 
other  on  the  very  summit  of  the  hill,  which  they  contested 
with  terrific  violence  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 

Such  was  the  obstinacy  of  the  contest,  that  many  bat- 
talions, on  both  sides,  were  forced  back,  and  the  contend- 
ing parties  became  mingled  with  each  other.  Nothing 
could  exceed  the  desperation  of  the  conflict  at  the  point 
where  the  cannon  was  stationed.  The  enemy  having 
forced  himself  into  the  very  midst  of  Major  Hindman's 
artillery,  this  officer  was  compelled  to  spike  two  of  his 
pieces,  and  was  warmly  engaged  across  the  carriages  and 
guns.  General  Ripley  now  pressing  upon  the  enemy's 
flanks,  compelled  them  to  give  way,  and  the  centre  soon 
following  the  example,  the  whole  British  line  fled  a  third 
time,  and  no  exertions  of  their  officers  could  restrain  them, 
until  they  placed  themselves  out  of  the  reach  of  the  mus- 
ketry and  artillery.  The  British  being  now  completely 
beaten,  retired  beyond  the  borders  of  the  field,  leaving 
their  dead  and  wounded. 

The  loss  on  this  occasion  was  in  proportion  to  the  ob- 
stinacy of  the  conflict,  the  whole  being  seventeen  hundred 
and  twenty-nine;  of  which  the  British  amounted  to  twenty- 
seven  more  than  the  Americans. 

The  intention  of  the  American  commander  was  to  re- 
new the  action  in  the  morning,  but  finding  that  he  had  but 
fifteen  hundred  men  fit  for  duty,  and  that  the  British  were 
drawn  up  in  considerable  force,  General  Ripley  determin- 
ed not  to  commence  an  attack.  He  then  retreated  to  Erie, 
and  extended  its  defences.  Having  been  reinforced  by  a 
thousand  men,  the  enemy  appeared  before  Fort  Erie'on 
the  3d  of  August,  and  commenced  with  regular  approaches. 
By  the  7th,  the  defences  were  sufficient  to  keep  the  enemy 


346  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

at  bay.  Until  the  14th,  the  cannonade  was  incessant,  and 
the  enemy  gained  ground,  but  in  skirmishes,  the  Ameri 
cans  were  generally  victorious. 

General  Gaines  now  commanded  at  Erie,  and  Colonel 
Drummond  was  preparing  to  assail  him.  At  half-past  two 
in  the  morning,  the  attack  was  commenced  by  three  co- 
lumns. On  the  second  attempt,  the  British  gained  the  pa- 
apet,  and  the  enemy  received  the  orders  of  Colonel  Drum- 
mond, to  "  give  no  quarter  /"  The  order  was  faithfully 
executed,  and  a  terrible  strife  ensued.  Colonel  Drum- 
mond was  shot  in  the  breast,  but  the  enemy  still  main- 
tained their  position ;  but  they  were  finally  defeated. 

The  British  loss  in  this  assault  was  two  hundred  and 
twenty-two  killed,  including  fourteen  officers  of  distinction; 
one  hundred  and  seventy-four  wounded,  and  one  hundred 
and  eighty-six  prisoners.  The  Americans  lost  seventeen 
killed,  fifty- six  wounded,  and  ten  prisoners. 

Nothing  further  of  particular  importance  transpired, 
until  the  seventeenth  of  September,  when  General  Brown, 
observing  that  the  enemy  had  just  completed  a  battery, 
which  could  open  a  most  destructive  fire,  the  neyt  day 
planned  a  sortie,  which  has  been  considered  a  military 
chef  d'oeuvre.  The  British  force  consisted  of  three  bri- 
gades, of  one  thousand  five  hundred  men  each,  one  of 
which  was  stationed  at  the  works  in  front  of  Fort  Erie, 
the  other  two  occupied  a  camp  two  miles  in  the  rear. — 
The  design  of  General  Brown  was  to  "  storm  the  batteries, 
destroy  the  cannon,  and  roughly  handle  the  brigade  on 
duty,  before  those  in  reserve  could  be  brought  up."  A 
road  had  previously  been  opened  by  Lieutenants  Riddle 
and  Frazer,  in  a  circuitous  course  through  the  woods, 
within  pistol  shot  of  the  flank  of  the  line  of  batteries, 
and  with  such  secrecy  as  to  have  escaped  the  notice  of  the 
enemy. 

At  two  o'clock,  the  troops  were  drawn  up  in  readiness 
to  make  the  sortie.  The  division  commanded  by  General 
Porter,  was  composed  of  riflemen  and  Indians  under 
Colonel  Gibson,  and  two  columns,  one  on  the  right,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Wood,  the  left  commanded  by  Gene- 
ral Davis,  of  the  New-York  militia ;  this  was  to  proceed 
through  the  woods,  by  the  road  which  had  6een  opened, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  347 

while  the  right  division  of  the  troops,  in  the  ravine 
already  mentioned,  was  to  be  stationed  between  the  fort 
and  the  enemy's  works,  under  General  Miller,  with  orders 
not  to  advance  until  General  Porter  should  have  engaged 
their  flank. 

The  command  of  General  Porter  advanced  with  so 
much  celerity  and  caution,  that  when  they  rushed  upon 
the  enemy's  flank  they  gave  the  first  intimation  of  their 
approach.  A  severe  conflict  for  a  moment  ensued,  in 
which  those  gallant  officers,  Colonel  Gibson,  and  Colonel 
Wood,  fell  at  the  head  of  their  columns,  and  the  com- 
mand devolved  on  Lieutenant  Colonel  M'Donald,  and  Ma- 
jor Brooks.  In  thirty  minutes  possession  was  taken  of 
both  batteries  in  this  quarter,  together  with  a  block-house 
in  the  rear,  and  the  garrison  made  prisoners.  Three 
twenty-four  pounders  were  rendered  useless,  and  their 
magazine  blown  up  by  Lieutenant  Riddle,  who  narrowly 
escaped  the  effects  of  the  explosion. 

At  this  moment  the  division  of  General  Miller  came 
up ;  General  Brown  having  heard  the  firing  had  ordered 
it  to  advance.  In  conjunction  with  Colonel  Gibson's  co- 
lumn, he  pierced  between  the  second  and  third  line  of 
batteries,  and,  after  a  severe  contest,  carried  the  first  of 
these.  In  this  assault  General  Davis  fell,  at  the  head  of 
his  volunteers.  The  whole  of  these  batteries,  and  the 
two  block  houses,  being  in  the  possession  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, General  Miller's  division  inclined  to  the  more  formi- 
dable batteries  toward  the  lake  shore.  At  this  moment 
they  were  joined  by  the  reserve  under  General  Ripley. 
Here  the  resistance  was  more  obstinate,  the  work  being 
exceedingly  intricate,  from  the  successive  lines  of  en- 
trenchments, contrived  with  studied  complexity  ;  a  con- 
stant use  of  the  bayonet  was  the  only  mode  of  assailing 
them ;  the  enemy  had,  also,  by  this  time,  received  consi- 
derable reinforcements.  General  Miller  continued  to 
advance,  although  suffering  severe  loss  in  some  of  his 
valuable  officers  :  Colonel  Aspinwall  was  badly  wounded, 
and  Major  Trimble  dangerously.  The  twenty-first,  under 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Upham,  forming  a  part  of  the  reserve, 
and  part  of  the  seventeenth,  uniting  with  the  corps  of 
General  Miller,  ch-irged  rapidly  upon  the  remaining  bat- 


348  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

tery,  which  was  instantly  abandoned  by  the  British  infan- 
try and  artillery. 

General  Ripley  now  ordered  a  line  to  be  formed,  for 
the  protection  of  the  detachments  engaged  in  destroying 
the  batteries,  and  was  engaged  in  making  arrangements 
for  following  up,  against  the  rear  of  General  Drurnmond, 
the  success  which  had  so  far  transcended  expectation, 
when  he  received  a  wound  in  the  neck,  and  fell  by  the 
side  of  Major  Brooks ;  he  was  immediately  transported 
to  the  fort.  The  objects  of  the  sortie  having  been  com- 
pletely effected,  General  Miller  called  in  his  detachments, 
and  retired  in  good  order,  with  the  prisoners,  and  the 
trophies  of  this  signal  exploit.  The  American  loss  in 
this  affair  was  five  hundred  and  eleven,  that  of  the  enemy 
upwards  of  a  thousand,  besides  their  cannon. 

On  the  eighteenth  of  October,  a  detachment  of  nine 
hundred  Americans  was  ordered  to  destroy  some  stores 
at  Lyon's  Creek,  which  they  effected,  after  encountering 
a  party  of  twelve  hundred.  The  object  was  effected, 
after  the  loss  of  sixty-seven  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

During  the  season  several  expeditions  were  planned, 
but  to  little  purpose.  Major  Croghan  commanded  one 
destined  to  regain  Michilimackinack,  but  the  main  object 
was  unsuccessful.  He  effected  a  landing,  but  his  force 
was  too  feeble,  and  the  plan  was  given  up  as  hopeless. 
He  merely  destroyed  the  establishments  at  St.  Mary's 
and  St.  Joseph.  General  M'Arthur  made  an  incursion 
into  Canada,  dispersing  some  detachments,  destroying 
their  stores,  and  taking  one  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners, 
returned  without  loss. 

In  the  spring  of  1814,  Commodore  Barney  took  the 
command  of  a  small  flotilla  of  gunboats  to  protect  the 
inlets,  and  small  rivers,  that  fall  into  Chesapeake  Bay. 
About  the  1st  of  June  the  enemy  entered  the  Chesapeake 
Bay,  and  renewed  their  ravages  with  greater  severity 
than  they  had  done  the  past  year.  Sharp  and  frequent 
rencounters  took  place  upon  the  water,  and  upon  the 
land  ;  but  the  enemy  succeeded  in  laying  waste  the  coun- 
try, and  carrying  off  the  negroes,  through  the  months  of 
June  and  July. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  the  British  entered  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  349 

Chesapeake  with  a  fleet  of  about  sixty  sail,  including 
transports,  under  Admiral  Cockburn,  and  landed  about  six 
thousand  men  at  Benedict,  on  the  Patuxent,  under  the 
command  of  General  Ross. 

On  the  22d,  General  Ross  reached  the  Wood-yard,  (so 
called)  twelve  miles  from  Washington,  where  Commodore 
Barney  caused  a  large  flotilla  of  gunboats  to  be  destroyed, 
to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  23d,  General  Ross  reached  Bladensburgh,  six 
miles  from  Washington,  where  he  dispersed  the  militia, 
after  a  short  resistance,  and  advanced  to  the  city.  Com- 
modore Barney  had  assembled  a  small  force  in  defence  of 
the  capital,  with  several  eighteen  pounders,  and  made  a 
stand  ;  but  he  was  soon  overpowered  by  numbers,  wound- 
ed and  taken  prisoner,  and  the  capital  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.  The  navy  yard  was  destroyed. 

By  order  of  General  Ross,  the  capitol,  the  president's 
house,  and  executive  offices,  were  burnt.  The  enemy  re- 
tired on  the  night  of  the  25th,  by  rapid  marches,  regained 
their  ships,  and  embarked. 

The  American  ladies,  always  conspicuous  in  the  history 
of  America,  for  their  patriotic  conduct  in  times  of  diffi- 
culty and  danger,  never  appeared  so  lovely  in  their  zeal 
for  their  country. 

The  first  object  of  attack,  it  was  rightly  conjectured, 
would  be  Baltimore.  The  cities  of  Philadelphia  and 
New- York  waited  the  result  with  as  much  anxiety,  as  if 
their  fate  depended  upon  its  successful  issue.  In  this 
they  perhaps  had  reason  ;  for  should  Baltimore  fall,  during 
the  panic  which  succeeded  the  capture  of  Washington, 
and  before  the  other  cities  would  have  time  to  place  them- 
selves in  an  attitude  of  defence,  they  could  make  but  a 
feeble  resistance. 

After  the  first  moment  of  despondency,  occasioned  by 
the  capture  of  Washington,  had  subsided  in  Baltimore,  and 
it  was  discovered  that  the  place  would  not  be  assailed 
immediately,  the  inhabitants  set  about  making  prepara* 
tions  for  defence.  Under  the  direction  of  General  Smith, 
a  ditch  was  opened,  and  a  breastwork  thrown  up  by  the 
inhabitants,  on  the  high  ground  to  the  north-east,  (to  effect 
which  every  class  of  people  united,)  so  as  completely  to 
30 


350  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

protect  the  town  in  the  only  quarter  in  which  it  was  ac 
cessible  by  land  forces. 

In  a  few  days,  a  considerable  number  of  militia  arrived 
from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia ;  and  the  spirits  of  the 
inhabitants  were  greatly  animated  by  the  arrival  of  the 
naval  veteran,  Commodore  Rogers,  with  his  marines,  who 
took  possession  of  the  heavy  batteries  on  the  hill. 

A  brigade  of  Virginia  volunteers,  together  with  the 
regulars,  was  assigned  to  General  Winder,  and  the  city 
brigade  to  General  Striker ;  the  whole  under  command 
of  Major-General  Smith ;  the  two  latter,  distinguished 
revolutionary  officers.  General  Striker  had  served  from 
the  commencement  to  the  conclusion  of  that  Avar,  and 
shared  in  many  important  battles.  The  approach  to  the 
city  by  water,  was  defended  by  Fort  M'Henry,  commanded 
by  Major  Armistead,  with  about  sixty  artillerists,  under 
Captain  Evans,  and  two  companies  of  sea  fencibles,  under 
Captains  Bunbury  and  Addison ;  of  these,  thirty-five  were 
on  the  sick  list. 

As  this  number  was  insufficient  to  man  the  batteries, 
Major  Armistead  was  furnished  with  two  companies  of 
volunteer  artillery,  under  Captain  Berry  and  Lieutenant 
Pennington,  and  a  company  under  Judge  Nicholson, 
(chief  justice  of  Baltimore  county,)  which  had  tendered 
its  services.  Besides  these,  there  was  a  detachment  of 
Commodore  Barney's  flotilla,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stewart  and  Major  Lane,  consisting  of  detachments  from 
the  twelfth,  fourteenth,  and  thirty-sixth  regiments  of  the 
United  States  troops,  which  were  encamped  under  the 
walls  of  the  fort.  The  total  amounted  to  about  one  thou- 
sand men. 

Two  batteries  on  the  right  of  Fort  M'Henry,  upon  the 
Patapsco,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  landing  during  the 
night,  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  were  manned,  the  one  by 
Lieutenant  Newcomb,  with  a  detachment  of  sailors ;  the 
other,  by  Lieutenant  Webster,  of  the  flotilla ;  the  former 
was  called  Fort  Covington,  the  latter,  the  City  Battery. 

It  was  equally  important  to  the  safety  of  the  city,  that 
in  the  event  of  an  attack  by  land  and  naval  forces,  both 
should  be  repelled  ;  for  in  case  Fort  M'Henry  was  silenced 
by  the  shipping,  there  would  be  nothing  to  prevent  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  351 

destruction  of  the  town ;  and  if  the  land  forces  of  the 
enemy  were  successful,  the  fort  could  no  longer  be  of  any 
avail,  and  would  even  be  untenable.  To  the  defence  of 
Fort  M'Henry,  and  to  the  repulse  of  the  British  from  the 
lines,  the  inhabitants  looked  for  safety.  Independently 
of  the  devastating  rrders  of  Cochrane,  and  the  recent 
scenes  at  Washington  and  Alexandria,  this  city  was  a  se- 
lected object  of  the  vengeance  of  the  enemy,  in  conse- 
quence of  her  active  and  patriotic  exertions  during  the 
war.  No  one  can  imagine  to  himself  a  just  picture  of 
the  state  of  anxious  feeling,  among  fifty  thousand  people 
of  all  ages  and  sexes,  for  the  approaching  crisisy  which 
would  determine  the  safety  or  destruction  of  their  city. 

And  even  in  case  of  successful  resistance,  the  most 
painful  incertitude  hung  over  the  fate  of  those  who  were 
to  risk  their  lives  in  its  defence ;  not  strangers  or  merce- 
naries, but  their  bosom  friends,  their  brothers,  their  sons 
and  husbands :  every  one,  even  old  men  and  boys,  who 
could  wield  a  musket,  were  found  in  the  ranks. 

The  committee  of  safety,  composed  of  those  advanced 
in  life,  and  the  most  influential  citizens,  (among  whom 
was  the  respectable  Colonel  Howard,  a  hero  of  the  revo- 
lution,) took  a  large  share  in  the  preparations  to  meet  the 
approaching  danger. 

The  British  army  having  re-embarked  on  board  the 
fleet  in  the  Patuxent,  Admiral  Cochrane  moved  down  the 
river,  and  proceeded  up  the  Chesapeake ;  and,  on  the 
morning  of  the  eleventh  of  September,  appeared  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Patapsco,  about  fourteen  miles  from  the  city 
of  Baltimore,  with  a  fleet  of  ships  of  war,  and  transports, 
amounting  to  fifty  sail. 

On  the  next  day,  the  land  forces,  to  the  number  of  at 
least  six  thousand  men,  the  veterans  of  Wellington,  de- 
barked at  North  Point,  and,  under  the  command  of  Gene- 
ral Ross,  took  up  their  march  for  the  city. 

General  Strieker  claimed,  for  the  city  brigade  under 
his  command,  the  honour  of  being  the  first  to  meet  the 
invader,  and  was  accordingly  detached  by  General  Smith, 
in  anticipation  of  the  landing  of  the  British  troops.  On 
the  eleventh  General  Strieker  proceeded  on  the  road  to 
North  Point,  at  the  head  of  three  thousand  and  two  hun- 


352  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

dred  effective  men,  consisting  of  the  fifth  regiment,  under 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Sterett,  five  hundred  and  fifty  strong; 
six  hundred  and  twenty  of  the  sixth,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  M'Donald  ;  five  hundred  of  the  twenty-seventh, 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Long ;  five  hundred  and  fifty 
of  the  thirty-ninth,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fowler ; 
seven  hundred  of  the  fifty-first,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Amey ;  one  Jiundred  and  fifty  riflemen,  under  Captain 
Dyer ;  one  hundred  and  fifty  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Biays ;  and  the  Union  Artillery,  of  seventy-five 
men,  and  six  four  pounders,  under  Captain  Montgomery, 
(attorney  general  of  the  state.)  A  light  corps  of  riflemen 
and  musketry,  under  Major  Randal,  taken  from  General 
Stanbury's  brigade,  and  the  Pennsylvania  volunteers, 
were  detached  to  the  mouth  of  Bear  Creek,  with  orders 
to  co-operate  with  General  Strieker,  and  to  check  any 
landing  which  might  be  effected  in  that  quarter. 

At  six  o'clock,  P.  M.  General  Strieker  reached  the 
meeting-house,  near  the  head  of  Bear  Creek,  seven  miles 
from  the  city.  Here  the  brigade  halted,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  cavalry,  who  were  pushed  forward  to  Gor- 
such's  farm,  three  miles  in  advance,  and  the  riflemen, 
who  took  post  near  the  blacksmith's  shop,  two  miles  in 
advance  of  the  encampment. 

The  next  morning,  (the  twelfth,)  at  seven  o'clock,  in- 
formation was  received  from  the  videttes,  that  the  enemy 
were  debarking  troops  under  cover  of  their  gun  vessels, 
which  lay  off  the  bluff  at  North  Point,  within  the  mouth 
of  the  Patapsco  River.  The  baggage  was  immediately 
ordered  back  under  a  strong  guard,  and  General  Strieker 
moved  forward  the  fifth  and  twenty-seventh  regiments, 
and  the  artillery,  to  the  head  of  Long  Log  Lane,  resting 
the  fifth  with  its  right  on  the  head  of  a  branch  of  Bear 
Creek,  its  left  on  the  main  road,  while  the  twenty-seventh 
was  posted  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  in  a  line 
with  the  fifth.  The  artillery  was  posted  at  the  head  of 
the  lane,  in  the  interval  between  these  two  regiments. 
The  thirty-ninth  was  drawn  up  three  hundred  yards  in 
the  rear  of  the  twenty-seventh,  and  the  fifty-first  the  same 
distance  in  the  rear  of  the  fifth ;  the  sixth  regiment  was 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  353 

drawn  up  as  a  reserve,  within  sight,  half  a  mile  in  the 
rear  of  the  second  line. 

Thus  judiciously  posted,  the  general  determined  to 
wait  an  attack,  having  given  orders  that  the  two  regiments 
composing  the  front  line,  should  receive  the  enemy,  and, 
if  necessary,  fall  back  through  the  fifty-first  and  thirty- 
ninth,  and  form  on  the  right  of  the  sixth,  posted  in  re- 
serve. 

,The  general  now  learned,  that  the  British  were  moving 
rapidly  up  the  main  road ;  and  at  the'mcment  when  he 
expected  their  approach  to  be  announced  by  the  riflemen, 
stationed  in  the  low  thick  pine  and  furs,  in  advance,  great- 
ly to  his  chagrin,  he  discovered  this  corps  falling  back 
upon  the  main  position,  having  listened  to  a  groundless 
rumour,  that  the  enemy  were  landing  on  Back  river,  to 
cut  them  off.  This  part  of  the  general's  plan  having  been 
frustrated,  he  placed  the  riflemen  on  the  right  of  his  front 
line,  by  this  means  better  securing  that  flank.  The  vi- 
dettes  soon  after  bringing  information  that  a  party  of  the 
enemy  were,  in  a  careless  manner,  carousing  at  Gorsuch's 
farm,  several  of  the  officers  offered  their  services  to  dis- 
lodge him.  Captains  Levering's  and  Howard's  compa- 
nies, from  the  fifth,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  num- 
ber, under  Major  Heath,  of  that  regiment;  Captain  Ais- 
quith's,  and  a  few  other  riflemen,  in  all  about  seventy ;  a 
small  piece  of  artillery,  under  Lieutenant  Stiles,  and  the 
cavalry,  were  pushed  forward,  to  chastise  the  insolence  of 
the  enemy's  advance,  and  to  evince  a  wish  on  the  part  of 
the  American  army  to  engage. 

The  detachment  had  scarcely  proceedod  half  a  mile, 
when  they  came  in  contact  with  the  main  body  of  the 
enemy;  a  sharp  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  Major  Heath's 
horse  was  shot  under  him,  and  several  of  the  Americans 
killed  and  wounded,  but  not  unrevenged,  for  in  this  affair 
the  enemy  lost  their  commander  in  chief,  General  Ross. 

This  officer  had  imprudently  proceeded  too  far,  for  the 
purpose  of  reconnoitering,  when  he  was  killed  by  one  of 
the  company  of  Captain  Howard,  who  was  in  the  advance. 

After  the  death  of  Ross,  the  command  devolved  on 
Colonel  Brook,  who  continued  to  push  forward,  notwith- 
standing this  occurrence.  The  American  detachment  fell 

30* 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

back;  and  the  general  conceiving  the  two  companies  of 
Howard  and  Levering  to  be  too  much  fatigued  to  share  in 
the  approaching  conflict,  they  were  ordered  to  form  on 
the  reserve,  not  without  a  request  on  their  part  to  be  per- 
mitted to  share  in  the  perils  of  their  townsmen. 

At  half  past  two  o'clock,  the  enemy  commenced  throw- 
ing rockets,  which  did  no  injury ;  and  immediately  Cap- 
tain Montgomery's  artillery  opened  their  fire  upon  them, 
which  was  returned  by  a  six  pounder  and  howitzer  upon 
the  left  and  centre.  The  fire  was  brisk  for  some  minutes, 
when  the  general  ordered  it  to  cease  on  his  side,  with  a 
view  of  bringing  the  enemy  into  close  canister  distance. 

Perceiving  that  the  efforts  of  the  British  were  chiefly 
directed  against  the  left  flank,  the  general  brought  up  the 
thirty-ninth  into  line  on  the  left  of  the  twenty-seventh, 
and  detached  two  pieces  of  artillery  on  the  left  of  the 
thirty-ninth;  and  still  more  completely  to  protect  this 
flank,  which  was  all  important,  Colonel  Amey,  of  the  fif- 
ty-first, was  ordered  to  form  his  regiment  at  right  angles 
with  the  line,  resting  his  right  on  the  left  of  the  thirty- 
ninth.  The  movement  was  badly  executed,  and  created 
some  confusion  in  that  quarter,  but  was  soon  rectified  with 
the  assistance  of  the  general's  aids  and  Major  Stevenson, 
and  the  brigade  majors,  Calhoun  and  Frailey. 

The  enemy's  right  column  now  displayed,  and  advanced 
upon  the  twenty-seventh  and  thirty-ninth.  Unfortunately, 
at  this  juncture,  the  fifty-first,  from  some  sudden  panic, 
after  giving  a  random  fire,  broke  and  retreated  in  such 
confusion  as  rendered  it  impossible  to  rally  it,  and  occa- 
sioned the  same  disorder  in  the  second  battalion  of  the 
thirty-ninth. 

The  fire  by  this  time  became  general,  from  right  to  left ; 
the  artillery  poured  an  incessant  and  destructive  stream 
upon  the  enemy's  left  column,  which  endeavoured  to 
shelter  itself  behind  a  log  house,  but  this  was  instantly  in 
a  blaze  ;  Captain  Sadtler  having  taken  the  precaution  to 
fire  it,  as  soon  as  it  was  abandoned  by  him  and  his  yagers. 

About  ten  minutes  past  three,  the  British  line  came  on 
with  a  rapid  discharge  of  musketry,  which  was  well  re- 
turned by  the  fifth,  the  twenty-seventh,  and  the  first  bat- 
talion of  the  thirty-ninth,  who  maintained  their  ground 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  355 

in  spite  of  the  example  set  by  the  intended  support  on 
the  left. 

The  whole  of  the  general's  force  with  this  diminution, 
scarcely  amounted  to  fourteen  hundred,  to  which  was 
opposed  the  whole  of  the  enemy.  The  fire  was  inces- 
sant, until  about  twenty-five  minutes  before  four  o'clock, 
during  which  time  General  Strieker  gallantly  contended 
against  four  times  his  numbers ;  but  finding  that  the  une- 
qual contest  could  be  maintained  no  longer,  and  that  the 
enemy  was  about  to  outflank  him,  in  consequence  of  the 
flight  of  the  fifty-first,  he  was  compelled  to  retire  upon 
his  reserve,  which  he  effected  in  good  order.  Here  he 
formed  his  brigade,  but  the  enemy  not  thinking  it  advi- 
sable to  pursue,  he  fell  back,  and  took  post  on  the  left  of 
the  line,  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  the  intrenchments, 
where  he  was  joined  by  General  Winder,  who  had  been 
stationed  on  the  west  side  of  the  city,  but  was  now  or- 
dered with  the  Virginia  brigade,  and  Captain  Bird's  Uni- 
ted States  dragoons,  to  take  post  on  the  left  of  General 
Strieker. 

The  conduct  of  the  Baltimore  brigade,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  fifty-first,  and  the  second  battalion  of  the  thirty- 
ninth,  who  were  seized  with  the  panic  to  which  raw  troops 
are  so  much  subject,  deserved  the  highest  praise.  Vete- 
rans could  not  have  done  more.  Their  loss,  in  killed 
and  wounded,  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  sixty-three, 
(amongst  whom  were  some  of  the  most  respectable  citi- 
zens of  Baltimore,)  about  an  eighth  of  the  force  engaged. 
Adjutant  James  Lowry  Donaldson,  of  the  twenty-seventh, 
(an  eminent  lawyer,)  was  killed  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight. 
Major  Heath  and  Major  Moore,  and  a  number  of  other 
officers,  were  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  British  was 
nearly  double  that  of  the  Americans,  according  to  their 
own  acknowledgment,  and  probably  much  greater.  This 
unexpected  resistance  had  a  happy  effect  upon  the  enemy; 
in  their  official  statements,  they  computed  the  American 
force  at  six  thousand,  a  great  proportion  of  regulars,  and 
estimated  our  loss  at  one  thousand,  from  which  we  may 
infer  their  opinion  o  the  manner  in  which  they  were 
received. 

In  the  mean  time  the  naval  attack  had  already  com- 


356  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

menced  from  five  bomb  vessels,  at  the  distance  of  two 
miles  ;  when  finding  themselves  sufficiently  near,  they 
anchored,  and  kept  up  an  incessant  bombardment,  while 
they  were  at  such  a  distance  as  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  guns  of  the  fort.  The  situation,  although  painfully 
inactive,  was  highly  perilous  ;  yet  every  man  stood  to  his 
post  without  shrinking.  One  of  the  twenty-four  pound- 
ers, on  the  south-west  bastion,  under  Captain  Nicholson, 
was  dismounted,  and  killed  his  second  lieutenant  and 
wounded  several  of  his  men.  The  enemy  now  approach- 
ed somewhat  nearer,  so  as  to  be  within  striking  distance 
A  tremendous  fire  was  instantly  opened  from  the  fort, 
which  compelled  him  precipitately  to  gain  his  former  po- 
sition. The  bombardment  was  kept  up  during  the  whole 
day  and  night.  The  city,  thus  assailed  on  both  sides, 
awaited  the  result  with  death-like  silence,  and  yet  no  eye 
was  closed  in  sleep. 

Suddenly,  about  midnight,  a  tremendous  cannonade  was 
heard  in  the  direction  of  the  fort,  and  the  affrighted  popu- 
lation believed  that  all  was  over.  Their  fears  were  soon 
quieted,  by  the  information  that  some  barges  of  the  ene- 
my, the  number  not  known,  had  attempted  to  land,  but 
were  compelled  to  draw  off  with  all  possible  haste,  after 
great  slaughter,  by  Lieutenants  Newcomb  and  Webster, 
who  commanded  the  city  battery  and  Fort  Coving-ton. 
By  the  next  morning  the  bombardment  ceased,  after  up- 
wards of  fifteen  hundred  shells  had  been  thrown ;  a  large 
portion  of  which  burst  over  the  fort,  and  scattered  their 
fragments  amongst  its  defenders ;  a  great  number  fell 
within  the  works,  and  materially  injured  two  of  the  pub- 
lic buildings,  and  two  slightly. 

The  enemy,  not  willing  to  abide  such  rough  handling, 
retreated  under  cover  of  a  dark  and  stormy  night,  and  in 
the  morning  General  Winder  was  detached  in  pursuit, 
but  the  time  which  had  elapsed  was  sufficient  for  embar- 
kation, and  the  rear  could  not  be  cut  off.  The  next  day 
the  fleet  descended  the  bay,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  inha 
bitants  of  Baltimore. 

We  shall  now  return  with  our  readers  to  the  operations 
on  the  northern  frontier.  About  the  first  of  September, 
Sir  George  Prevost  led  his  army  to  Plattsburgh,  while 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  357 

the  fleet  proceeded  up  the  lake  on  his  left,  to  make  & 
simultaneous  attack  by  land  and  water.  Before  this,  lit- 
tle of  consequence  had  transpired  in  this  quarter. 

The  peace  in  Europe  permitted  the  English  govern- 
ment to  transport  large  bodies  of  troops,  and  they  had 
already  sent  on  a  considerable  army  to  Canada.  Four- 
teen thousand  of  these  were  organized  under  Sir  George, 
and  the  remainder  were  sent  to  oppose  General  Brown 
on  the  Niagara. 

To  oppose  this  overwhelming  force,  General  Macomb 
had  but  iifteen  hundred  regulars,  including  new  recruits 
and  invalids.  The  works  were  in  no  state  of  defence, 
and  the  stores  and  ordnance  were  in  great  disorder.  The 
British  force  took  possession  of  Champlain  on  the  third 
of  September,  and,  from  the  proclamations  and  impress- 
ments of  wagons  and  teams  in  this  vicinity,  it  was  soo'n 
discovered  that  their  object  was  an  attack  on  Plattsburgh. 
Not  a  minute  was  to  be  lost  in  placing  the  works  in  a 
state  of  defence ;  and  in  order  to  create  an  emulation  and 
zeal  among  the  officers  and  men,  they  were  divided  into 
detachments,  and  stationed  in  the  several  forts;  the  gene- 
ral declaring,  in  orders,  that  each  detachment  was  the 
garrison  of  its  own  work,  and  bound  to  defend  it  to  the 
last  extremity.  At  the  same  time  he  called  on  General 
Mooers,  of  the  New-York  militia,  and  arranged  with  him 
plans  for  calling  out  the  militia  en  masse.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  Plattsburgh  fled  with  their  families  and  effects, 
excepting  a  few  men,  and  some  boys,  who  formed  them- 
selves into  a  company,  received  rifles,  and  were  exceed- 
ingly useful. 

In  this  extremity  General  Mooers  collected  about  seven 
hundred  militia,  and  small  detachments  were  posted  so 
as  to  watch  and  harass  the  enemy.  Trees  were  felled, 
and  every  impediment  put  in  the  way  of  their  march, 
and  some  skirmishes  ensued.  At  daylight,  on  the  sixth, 
it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in  two 
columns  by  each  of  the  roads,  dividing  at  Sampson's, 
a  little  below  Chazy  village.  The  column  on  the  Beck- 
man  road  approached  rapidly ;  the  militia  skirmished  a 
little  with  its  advanced  parties,  but  which,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  n  few  brave  men,  soon  broke,  and  fled  in  the  great- 


358  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

est  disorder.  A  detachment  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  under  Major  Wool,  had  been  marched  to  their  sup- 
port, and  to  show  them  an  example  of  firmness ;  but  it 
was  found  unavailing. 

Finding  that  the  enemy's  columns  had  penetrated 
within  a  mile  of  Plattsburgh,  orders  were  received  for 
Colonel  Appling  to  return  from  his  position  at  Dead 
Creek,  and  fall  on  the  enemy's  right  flank.  The  colonel 
fortunately  arrived  just  in  time  to  save  his  retreat,  and  to 
fall  in  with  the  head  of  a  column  debouching  from  the 
woods.  He  poured  a  destructive  fire  from  his  riflemen, 
and  continued  to  annoy  the  column  until  he  formed  a 
junction  with  Major  Wool.  Notwithstanding  that  con- 
siderable execution  was  done  by  the  field  pieces,  the 
enemy  still  continued  to  press  forward  in  column  ;  con- 
siderable obstructions  were,  however,  thrown  in  their  way 
by  the  removal  of  the  bridge,  and  by  the  fallen  trees;  a 
galling  fire  was  also  kept  up  from  the  galleys  as  they 
passed  the  creek. 

Plattsburgh  is  on  the  northeast  side  of  the  Saranac, 
near  its  entrance  into  Lake  Champlain,  directly  opposite 
the  American  works.  The  town  was  of  course  abandon- 
ed, and  occupied  by  the  British.  Attempts  were  made 
to  take  possession  of  the  bridge,  but  it  was  resolutely 
guarded  by  the  Americans.  When  our  troops  had  passed 
the  bridge,  the  planks  were  raised,  and  used  for  a  breast- 
work. 

The  enemy,  now  masters  of  the  village,  instead  of 
attempting  to  carry  the  American  works  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  which  their  vast  superiority  of  force 
might  have  enabled  them  to  do,  contented  themselves 
with  erecting  works,  whence  they  continued  to  annoy  the 
Americans,  and  constantly  skirmishing  at  the  bridges  and 
fords.  By  the  eleventh,  the  fifth  day  of  the  siege,  a  con- 
siderable force  of  New- York  and  Vermont  militia,  which 
had  been  continually  collecting,  lined  the  Saranac,  and 
repelled  the  attempts  of  the  British  to  cross,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  a  considerable  body  was  sent  to  harass  their 
rear.  There  was  scarcely  an  intermission  to  the  skir- 
mishes which  took  place  between  them  and  the  militia, 
who  acted,  after  the  first  day,  with  great  intrepidity 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  359 

The  American  regulars,  at  the  same  time,  laboured  inces- 
santly to  extend  and  strengthen  their  works.  During 
this  time,  a  handsome  affair  was  achieved  by  Captain 
M'Glassin,  who,  crossing  the  river  in  the  night,  assailed 
the  British  regulars,  more  than  three  times  his  number, 
stationed  at  a  masked  battery,  which  had  been  for  some 
days  preparing,  drove  them  from  their  posts,  and  demo- 
lished their  works. 

The  principal  cause  of  delay,  which  was  fortunate  for 
the  Americans,  was  the  momentary  expectation  of  the 
fleet,  which  was  intended  to  co-operate.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  eleventh,  at  eight  o'clock,  the  look  out  boat  of 
Commodore  M'Donough  announced  its  approach.  It 
consisted  of  the  Confiance,  carrying  thirty-nine  guns, 
twenty-seven  of  which  were  twenty-four  pounders  ;  the 
brig  Linnet,  of  sixteen  guns  ;  the  sloops  Chub  and  Finch, 
each  carrying  eleven  guns;  thirteen  galleys,  five  of  which 
carried  two,  and  the  remainder  one  gun.  The  commo* 
dore  at  this  moment  lay  at  anchor  in  Plattsburgh  bay, 
and  intended  in  that  situation  to  receive  the  enemy.  His 
fleet  consisted  of  the  Saratoga,  carrying  twenty-six  guns, 
eight  of  which  were  long  twenty-four  pounders ;  the 
Eagle,  of  twenty  guns ;  the  Ticonderoga,  of  seventeen, 
the  Preble,  seven;  and  ten  galleys,  six  of  which  carried 
two,  and  the  remainder  one  gun.  Beside^  the  advantage 
which  the  enemy  possessed,  in  being  able  to  choose  their 
position,  their  force  was  much  superior.  The  number  of 
guns  in  the  British  fleet  amounted  to  ninety-five,  and  of 
men  to  upwards  of  a  thousand;  while  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans was  eighty-six,  and  the  number  of  men  less  by  two 
hundred.  One  of  the  American  vessels  had  been  built 
with  despatch  almost  incredible.  Eighteen  days  before, 
the  trees  of  which  it  was  constructed,  were  actually  gro\> 
ing  on  the  shores  of  the  lake. 

The  American  vessels  were  moored  in  line,  with  five 
gunboats  arid  gallies  on  each  flank.  At  nine  o'clock, 
Captain  Downie,  the  British  commander,  anchored  in  line, 
abreast  of  the  American  squadron,  at  about  three  hundred 
yards  distance,  the  Confiance  opposed  to  the  Saratoga; 
the  Linnet  to  the  Eagle  ;  the  British  galleys,  and  one  of 
the  sloops  to  the  Ticonderoga,  Preble,  and  the  left  divi- 


360  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

sion  of  the  American  galleys  ;  the  other  sloop  to  the  right 
division. 

The  importance  of  the  contest  which  was  now  impend- 
ing, will  justify  us  in  a  particular  description. 

In  this  situation  the  whole  force  on  both  sides  became 
engaged ;  and  at  the  same  moment,  as  if  this  had  been  the 
signal,  the  contest  commenced  between  General  Macomb 
and  Sir  George  Prevost.  One  of  the  British  sloops  was 
soon  thrown  out  of  the  engagement,  by  running  on  a  reel 
of  rocks,  whence  she  could  not  be  extricated,  while  one 
division  of  the  enemy's  galleys  was  so  roughly  handled, 
as  to  be  compelled  to  pull  out  of  the  way.  But  the  fate 
of  this  interesting  day,  on  which  the  two  rivals  for  naval 
superiority  were  for  the  second  time  matched  in  squad- 
ron, depended  chiefly  on  the-result  of  the  engagement  be- 
tween the  two  largest  ships. 

The  American  commodore  maintained  the  unequal  con* 
test  for  two  hours  ;  but  the  greater  weight  of  the  ene- 
my's battery  seemed  to  incline  the  scale  of  victory,  al- 
though he  suffered  prodigiously.  The  chances  against 
the  Saratoga  were  accidentally  increased  by  the  comman- 
der of  the  Eagle,  who  not  being  able  to  bring  his  guns  to 
bear  as  he  wished,  cut  his  cable,  and  anchored  between 
the  Ticonderoga  and  Saratoga,  by  which  this  vessel  was 
exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy's  brig.  The 
guns  on  the  starboard  side  had,  by  this  time,  been  either 
dismounted  or  become  unmanageable ;  the  situation  of 
the  enemy  was  but  little  better ;  to  both,  the  fortune  of 
the  day  depended  ou  the  bAecution  of  one  of  the  most 
difficult  naval  manosuvie* — 10  wind  their  vessel  round,  and 
bring  a  new  broaasnie  10  oear. 

The  Confiance  aasnvea  it  iu  vain,  but  the  efforts  of  the 
Saratoga  were  successiui ;  a  stern  anchor  was  let  go,  the 
bovver  cable  cut,  and  the  ship  winded  with  a  fresh  broad- 
side on  the  frigate,  which  soon  after  surrendered.  A 
Broadside  was  then  sprung  to  bear  on  the  brig,  which 
surrendered  in  fifteen  minutes  after  The  sloop  opposed 
to  the  Eagle  had  struck  to  Captain  Henley  sometime  be- 
fore, and  drifted  crown  the  line.  Three  of  the  galleys 
were  sunk,  the  others  escaped ;  all  the  rest  of  the  fleet 
fell  into  the  hands  of  Commodore  M'Donough.  By  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  361 

time  this  bloody  contest  was  over,  there  was  scarcely  a 
mast  in  either  squadron  capable  of  bearing  a  sail,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  vessels  in  a  sinking  state.  There  were 
fifty  round  shot  in  the  hull  of  the  Saratoga,  and  in  the 
Confiance  one  hundred  and  five.  The  Saratoga  was 
twice  set  on  fire  by  hot  shot. 

The  action  lasted  two  hours  and  twenty  minutes.  The 
commander  of  the  Confiance  was  killed,  with  forty-nine 
of  his  men,  and  sixty  wounded.  On  board  the  Saratoga 
there  were  twenty-eight  killed,  and  twenty-nine  wounded. 
Of  the  first  was  Lieutenant  Gamble;  and  on  board  the 
Ticonderoga,  Lieutenant  Stanbury,  (son  of  General  Stan- 
bury,  of  Maryland.)  Among  the  wounded  were  Lieu- 
tenant Smith,  acting  Lieutenant  Spencer,  and  midship- 
man Baldwin.  The  total  loss  in  the  American  squadron 
amounted  to  fifty-two  killed,  and  fifty-eight  wounded. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  eighty-four  killed,  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  wounded,  and  eight  hundred  and  fifty-six 
prisoners,  which  actually  exceeded  the  number  of  their 
captors. 

This  engagement,  so  deeply  interesting  to  the  two  rival 
nations,  took  place  in  sight  of  the  hostile  armies.  But 
they  were  by  no  means  quiet  spectators  of  the  scene ;  a 
hot  engagement  was  kept  up  during  the  whole  time  ;  the 
air  was  filled  with  bombs,  rockets,  sharpnels,  and  hot 
balls.  Three  desperate  efforts  were  made  by  the  British 
to  cross  over  and  storm  the  American  works,  in  which 
they  were  as  often  repulsed,  with  considerable  loss.  An 
attempt  to  force  the  bridge  was  bravely  defeated  by  a  de- 
tachment of  regulars,  and  Captain  Grosvenor's  riflemen. 
They  attempted  a  ford  about  three  miles  above,  but  were 
so  briskly  assailed  by  a  body  of  volunteers  and  militia 
posted  in  a  wfcod,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  detachment 
was  cut  to  pieces. 

The  efforts  of  the  enemy  naturally  relaxed,  after  wit- 
nessing the  painful  sight,  so  little  expected,  of  the  entire 
capture  of  their  fleet.  The  firing  was,  however,  kept  up 
until  night ;  at  night  the  enemy  withdrew  their  artillery, 
and  raised  the  siege.  The  plans  of  Sir  George  Prevost 
were  completely  frustrated,  since  the  Americans  had  now 
the  command  of  the  lake :  even  if  he  were  to  possess 

31 


362  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

himself  of  the  American  works,  it  would  not  serve  him 
any;  further  design ;  in  the  meantime,  he  would  be  exposed 
to  great  danger  from  the  hourly  augmentation  of  the 
American  forces. 

Under  the  cover  of  the  night,  he,  therefore,  sent  off  all 
his  baggage  and  artillery,  for  which  he  found  means  of 
transportation;  and,  before  day  the  next  morning,  his 
whole  force  precipitately  retreated,  leaving  behind  their 
sick  and  wounded.  Vast  quantities  of  military  stores, 
and  munitions  of  war,  were  abandoned  by  them,  and  still 
greater  quantities  were  afterwards  found  hid  in  marshes, 
or  buried  in  the  ground.  They  were  hotly  pursued,  a 
number  of  stragglers  were  picked  up,  and  upwards  of  five 
hundred  deserters  came  in. 

Those  of  the  British  army  and  navy  who  fell,  were  in- 
terred with  the  honours  of  war.  The  humane  attention 
of  the  Americans  to  the  wounded,  and  the  politeness  and 
generous  attention  to  the  prisoners,  were  acknowledged 
in  grateful  terms  by  Captain  Pryng,  (who  succeeded  Cap- 
tain Downie,)  in  his  official  despatch  to  the  admiralty 

Thus  was  this  portentous  invasion  most  happily  repel- 
led, and  another  of  our  inland  seas  made  glorious  by  the 
victories  of  free  Americans.  The  "  star  spangled  ban- 
ner" waved  in  triumph  on  the  waters  of  Champlain,  as  it 
did  on  Erie  and  Ontario.  These  noble  features  in  our 
great  empire  will  henceforth  be  viewed  with  a  very  diffe- 
rent interest  from  what  they  heretofore  excited. 

The  effect  of  this  victory  tended  to  allay  party  spirit, 
and  produce  unanimity  in  the  national  legislature.  The 
great  cause  of  bitter  complaint  against  the  administra- 
tion, French  influence,  was  at  an  end,  and  the  recent  con- 
duct of  Great  Britain  towards  this  country,  rendered  it 
impossible  for  any  one  to  say  that  she  wa^not  wantonly 
pursuing  hostilities,  when  these  causes  no  longer  existed. 
No  one  could  now  be  the  advocate  of  Britain. 

But,  in  addition  to  other  circumstances,  the  neglect  ex- 
perienced by  our  ministers  in  Europe,  and  the  shuffling 
policy  of  Great  Britain,  which  procrastinated  a  final  ad- 
justment ol  differences,  were  well  understood,  and  had 
their  proper  effect  on  our  citizens.  Our  sincere  desire 
for  peace  was  met  by  the  demand  for  a  surrender  of  ? 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  303 

large  portion  of  territory,  and  a  total  relinquishment  of 
the  lake  shores,  a  sine  qua  non.  To  these  conditions  it 
is  evident  our  government  could  not  accede,  and  few  were 
so  weak  as  to  believe  that  the  proposition  was  made  with 
any  other  view  than  to  prolong  the  negotiations,  and  take 
advantage  of  circumstances  which  might  intervene. 

About  this  epoch,  a  convention,  composed  of  delegates 
from  several  of  the  New-England  states,  met  at  Hartford, 
the  members  of  which  were  opposed  to  the  war.  This 
step  occasioned  much  excitement,  and  was  the  subject  of 
many  speculations.  It  was  charged  with  the  design  of 
sundering  the  union  of  the  states  ;  but  after  a  brief  ses- 
sion, terminated  in  an  address  and  remonstrance,  or  peti- 
tion to  congress,  enumerating  several  objections  to  the  fe- 
deral constitution.  It  was  presented  to  several  states  for 
approbation,  but  was  uniformly  rejected.  As  to  the  con- 
stitutional right  of  assembling  for  the  purpose  of  discuss- 
ing national  subjects,  we  can  have  but  one  voice,  unless 
we  abandon  republican  principles ;  but  whether  the  mo- 
tives, the  time,  and  the  expected  results  of  this  conven- 
tion, were  correct  and  judicious,  is  problematical.  In  the 
legislature  of,  Pennsylvania,  in  which  the  memorial  was 
discussed,  the  conduct  of  the  memorialists  was  severely 
censured. 

Our  finance  now  appeared  to  revive,  under  the  indefa- 
tigable industry  and  great  abilities  of  Mr.  Dallas,  whom 
the  president  selected  at  this  critical  moment  to  fill  the 
office  of  secretary  of  the  treasury.  His  plans  were  cha- 
racterized by  the  greatest  boldness,  but  were  unfolded  in 
so  luminous  a  manner,  as  to  carry  conviction  to  every 
mind.  He  may  be  said  to  have  plucked  up  the  sinking 
credit  of  the  nation  by  the  locks.  The  duties  of  the  se- 
cretary at  war  were,  at  the  same  time,  discharged  by  Co- 
lonel Monroe,  in  "addition  to  his  other  avocations  ;  in 
which  undertaking  he  exhibited  no  small  courage,  for  it 
had  become  a  forlorn  hope  of  popularity  ;  he  was  happily 
rewarded  by  the  most  fortunate  success  in  all  his  mea- 
sures, and  by  the  universal  applause  of  *his  country. 

While  the  American  congress  was  thus  occupied,  the 
public  attention  was  awakened  by  a  most  alarming  state 
of  affairs  to  the  southward.  The  Creek  war  was  renew- 


364  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ed,  and  a  powerful  invasion  of  Louisiana  was  threatened, 
General  Jackson,  after  concluding  a  treaty  with  the 
Creeks,  moved  his  head  quarters  to  Mobile.  Here, 
about  the  latter  end  of  August,  he  received  certain  infor- 
mation, that  three  British  ships  of  war  had  arrived  at 
Pensacola,  and  had  landed  a  large  quantity  of  ammuni- 
tion and  guns,  for  the  purpose  of  arming  the  Indians, 
and  had,  besides,  marched  into  the  fort  with  three  hundred 
troops.  He  was  also  informed  that  the  fleet  of  Admiral 
Cochrane  had  been  reinforced  at  Bermuda,  and  that  thir- 
teen ships  of  the  line,  with  transports,  were  daily  ex- 
pected, with  ten  thousand  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  inva- 
ding some  of  the  southern  states.  On  the  receipt  of  this 
information,  he  immediately  wrote  to  the  governor  of 
Tennessee,  calling  for  the  whole  quota  of  that  state. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  September,  three  vessels  of  war 
from  Pensacola,  appeared  before  fort  Boyer,  which  com- 
mands the  entrance  to  Mobile  Bay.  A  proclamation  was 
issued  by  Colonel  Nichols,  commanding  his  majesty's  for- 
ces in  Florida,  addressed  to  the  inhabitants  of  Louisiana, 
Kentucky,  and  Tennessee,  inviting  them  to  aid  the  Bri- 
tish. He  likewise  made  a  proposition  to  a  nest  of  pirates 
which  infested  one  of  the  lakes  which  communicates  with 
the  gulf,  to  assist  in  the  operations  against  the  Americans 
in  that  quarter.  This  nest  of  desperadoes  amounted  to 
five  or  six  hundred,  and  their  commander,  Lafitte,  had 
been  outlawed  by  the  American  government.  In  the  sum 
mer,  the  establishment  had  been  broken  up  by  Commo- 
dore Patterson,  but  had  again  organized,  and  would  be  a 
dangerous  force,  if  employed  by  our  enemies,  for  which 
service  they  had  large  offers. 

But  what  was  most  humiliating  to  those  who  could 
stoop  so  low,  this  alliance  was  indignantly  rejected. 
Lafitte  at  first  dissembled,  until  he  had  drawn  from  the 
colonel  important  information,  when  he  dismissed  him 
with  disdain,  and  immediately  dispatched  a  messenger  to 
Governor  Claiborne,  who  had  some  time  before  offered 
five  hundred  dollars  for  his  apprehension,  and  laid  before 
him  incontestible  proofs  of  the  truth  of  his  declaration. 
The  governor  was  agreeably  surprised  at  this  unexpected 
trait  of  generosity,  but  at  first  hesitated  as  to  the  course 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  365 

to  be  pursued ;  on  the  approach  of  danger,  however,  he 
issued  his  proclamation,  in  which  he  pledged  himself,  that 
those  engaged  in  this  illicit  course  of  life  should  be  for- 
given, provided  they  would  come  forward  and  aid  in  the 
defence  of  the  country.  This  was  joyfully  accepted  by 
the  Barratarians,  as  they  were  called,  who  tendered  their 
services,  and  were  found  eminently  useful. 

General  Jackson  having  in  vain  remonstrated  with  the 
governor  of  Pensacola  for  his  unprecedented  conduct, 
determined  to  march  against  that  place.  Having  re- 
ceived a  reinforcement  of  two  thousand  Tennessee  militia, 
which  had  marched  through  the  Indian  country,  he  ad- 
vanced to  Pensacola  to  demand  redress.  On  the  sixth  of 
November  he  reached  the  neighbourhood  of  that  post,  and 
immediately  sent  Major  Peire  with  a  flag  to  communicate 
the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  governor ;  but  he  was  forced 
to  return,  being  fired  on  from  the  batteries. — Jackson 
then  reconnoitered  the  fort,  and  finding  it  defended  both 
by  British  and  Indians,  he  made  arrangements  for  storm- 
ing it  the  next  day. 

The  troops  were  put  in  motion  at  day  light,  and  being 
encamped  to  the  west  of  the  town,  the  attack  would  be 
expected  from  that  quarter ;  to  keep  up  this  idea,  part  of 
the  mounted  men  were  sent  to  show  themselves  on  the 
west,  whilst  the  remainder  of  the  troops  passed  to  the  rear 
of  the  fort,  undiscovered,  to  the  east  of  the  town.  His 
whole  force,  consisting  of  a  few  regulars,  a  body  of  militia, 
and  some  Choctaw  Indians,  appeared  in  view  when  within 
a  mile  of  the  fort,  and  advanced  firmly  to  the  enemy's 
works,  although  there  were  seven  British  vessels  on  their 
left,  and  strong  batteries  of  cannon  in  front.  On  entering 
the  town,  a  battery  of  two  cannons,  loaded  with  ball  and 
grape,  was  opened  on  the  centre  column,  composed  of 
regulars,  and  a  shower  of  musketry  was  poured  from  the 
houses  and  gardens.  The  battery  was  soon  carried  and 
the  musketry  silenced. 

The  governor  now  made  his  appearance  with  a  flag, 
begged  for  mercy,  and  offered  to  surrender  the  town  im- 
mediately. This  was  granted,  and  every  protection  af- 
forded to  the  persons  and  property  of  the  inhabitants. 
The  commandant  of  the  fort  refused  to  surrender  until 

31* 


366  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

midnight,  when  he  evacuated  it  with  his  troops,  just  as  the 
Americans  were  preparing  to  make  a  furious  assault.  The 
British  withdrew  their  shipping,  and  Jackson,  having  ac- 
complished his  purpose,  returned  to  Mobile. 

Notwithstanding  the  negotiations  for  peace,  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  a  formidable  invasion  of  Louisiana, 
and  Governor  Claiborne  ordered  the  two  divisions  of  mi- 
litia to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  repel  an  attack. 
He  also  called  on  the  inhabitants  to  turn  out  en  masse,  for 
the  defence  of  their  liberties  and  their  homes. 

In  New-Orleans,  the  citizens,  from  the  commencement 
of  the  war,  as  if  sensible  of  the  feeble  help  which  they 
could  expect  from  the  general  government,  manifested 
the  greatest  alacrity  in  qualifying  themselves  for  taking 
the  field  against  an  invader.  Every  man  capable  of  bear 
ing  arms,  had  become  a  soldier,  and  perhaps  in  none  was 
there  such  frequent  and  elegant  displays  of  well  disci- 
plined volunteer  companies  dressed  in  uniform.  The 
wonderful  aptitude  of  the  French  for  the  profession  of 
arms,  was  never  more  fully  exhibited.  There  were  in- 
termingled with  them,  a  number  of  men  who  had  served 
in  the  French  armies. 

The  free  people  of  colour,  a  numerous  class,  were  per- 
mitted, as  a  privilege  of  which  they  were  proud,  to  form 
volunteer  companies,  and  wear  their  uniform ;  some  of 
these  were  natives,  but  the  greater  part  had  been  refugees 
from  St.  Domingo.  The  American  and  French  inhabi- 
tants, although  sometimes  at  variance  with  each  other,  on 
this  occasion  united  heartily  in  dislike  to  the  English,  and 
in  a  disposition  to  frustrate  their  designs. 

Hearing  of  the  danger  of  New-Orleans,  General  Jack- 
son repaired  thither  for  its  defence,  and  arrived  there  on 
the  second  of  December.  He  put  in  requisition  all  the 
powers  of  his  mind,  and  took  the  most  active  measures  to 
prevent  the  effects  of  an  expected  invasion. 

Batteries  were  constructed  in  important  situations,  and 
every  obstruction  put  in  the  way  of  the  invaders.  He 
called  on  the  legislature  for  resources,  which  were  prompt- 
ly supplied.  Colonel  Monroe,  acting  secretary  of  war, 
had  already  forwarded  military  supplies,  and  called  on  the 
neighbouring  governors  for  a  considerable  force. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  367 

About  the  fifth  of  December,  certain  intelligence  was 
received,  that  the  British  fleet,  consisting  of  at  least  sixty 
sail,  was  off  the  coast  to  the  east  of  the  Mississippi.  Com- 
modore Patterson  immediately  despatched  five  gun-boats, 
under  the  command  of  .Lieutenant  Catesby  Jones,  to 
watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  They  were  discovered 
in  such  force  off  Cat  Island,  as  to  induce  the  lieutenant  to 
make  sail  for  the  passes  into  Lake  Ponchartrain,  in  order 
to  oppose  the  entrance  of  the  British.  The  Sea  Horse, 
Sailing  Master  Johnson,  after  a  gallant  resistance,  was 
captured  in  the  bay  of  St.  Louis. 

On  the  fourteenth,  the  gun-boats,  while  becalmed,  were 
attacked  by  nearly  forty  barges,  and  twelve  hundred  men, 
and,  after  a  contest  of  an  hour,  with  this  overwhelming 
force,  the  flotilla  surrendered.  The  loss  of  the  Americans 
was  forty  killed  and  wounded  ;  among  the  latter,  Lieu- 
tenant Spidden,  who  lost  an  arm  :  Lieutenant  Jones  and 
M'Keever  were  also  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy 
was  estimated  at  three  hundred  men. 

This  loss  was  severely  felt,  as  the  enemy  was  thereby 
enabled  to  choose  his  point  of  attack,  and  we  were,  in  a 
great  measure,  prevented  from  watching  his  motions. 
But  the  exertions  for  defence  were  neither  paralyzed  nor 
abated.  The  legislature  appropriated  money,  and  offered 
bounties  which  induced  numbers  to  serve  on  board  the 
schooner  Caroline,  and  the  brig  Louisiana.  An  embargo 
was  laid  for  three  days,  and  martial  law  was  declared. 

Lafitte  and  his  Barratarians,  about  this  time,  joined  the 
American  forces.  The  city  now  exhibited  an  interesting 
spectacle  ;  all  classes  cheerfully  preparing  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  invader,  and^reposing  the  utmost  confidence 
in  Jackson.  All  was  life  and  bustle,  and  the  female  part 
of  the  society  seemed  emulous  to  share  in  this  affecting 
scene. 

All  the  principal  bayous  which  communicate  with  the 
lake,  and  the  narrow  strip  of  land  on  the  borders  of  the 
Mississippi,  through  the  swamps,  had  been  obstructed. 
There  was,  however,  a  communication  with  Lake  Borgne, 
but  little  known,  called  the  bayou  Bienvenu,  used  by 
fishermen ;  its  head  near  the  plantation  of  General  Vil- 
lere,  seven  miles  below  the  city.  Major  Villere  had  re- 


368  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ceived  orders  from  his  father  to  guard  this  bayou,  and  he 
accordingly  stationed  a  guard  near  its  entrance  into  the 
lake,  at  the  cabins  of  some  fishermen. 

It  afterwards  appeared,  that  these  wretches  had  been  in 
the  employment  of  the  British.  On  the  twenty-second, 
guided  by  them,  the  enemy  came  suddenly  upon  the  Ame- 
rican guard,  and  took  them  prisoners.  The  division  under 
General  Keane,  by  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  reached 
the  commencement  of  Villere's  canal,  and,  having  disem- 
barked, and  rested  some  hours,  proceeded  through  the 
cane-brake,  and,  by  two  o'clock,  reached  the  bank  of  the 
river.  General  Villere's  house  was  suddenly  surrounded, 
as  also  that  of  his  neighbour,  Colonel  La  Ronde ;  but  this 
officer,  as  well  as  Major  Villere,  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
effect  his  escape,  and,  hastening  to  the  head-quarters,  com- 
municated the  intelligence. 

The  alarm  gun  was  fired,  and  the  commander  in  chief, 
with  that  promptitude  and  decision  for  which  he  is  so  re- 
markable, instantly  resolved  on  the  only  course  to  be  pur- 
sued, which  was,  without  the  loss  of  a  moment's  time,  to 
attack  the  enemy.  Coffee's  riflemen,  stationed  above  the 
city,  in  one  hour's  time  were  at  the  place  of  rendezvous  ; 
the  battalion  of  Major  Plauche  had  arrived  from  the 
bayou,  and  the  regulars  and  city  volunteers  were  ready  to 
march.  By  six  o'clock  the  different  corps  were  united  on 
Rodrigue's  canal,  six  miles  below  the  city.  The  schooner 
Caroline,  Captain  Henley,  at  the  same  time  dropped  down 
the  river.  The  command  of  General  Coffee,  together 
with  Captain  Beale's  riflemen,  were  placed  on  the  left, 
towards  the  woods;  the  city  volunteers,  and  men  oi 
colour,  under  Plauche  and  Duquin  ;  the  whole  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Ross,  were  stationed  to  the  right  of 
these ;  and,  next  to  them,  the  two  regiments  of  regulars, 
the  seventh  and  forty-fourth ;  the  artillery  and  marines, 
under  Colonel  M'Rea,  occupied  the  road.  The  whole 
scarcely  exceeded  two  thousand  men. 

The  British  force,  at  this  time,  amounted  to  three  thou- 
sand, and  instead  of  pushing  directly  towards  the  city, 
had  bivouacked,  fully  convinced  that  the  most  difficult 
part  of  the  enterprise  was  already  achieved. 

Carroll's  force  was  posted  on  the  Gentilly  road,  to  pro- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  369 

vide  against  an  attack  from  that  quarter.  Coffee  was  di- 
rected to  turn  their  right,  which  rested  on  the  wood,  at 
the  distance  of  half  a  mile  from  the  river,  while  the  ge- 
neral assailed  their  strongest  position  near  it.  Commo- 
dore Patterson,  who  had  gone  on  board  the  Caroline, 
dropped  down  at  the  same  time,  and  was  to  open  his  fire 
upon  the  enemy  as  a  signal  of  attack.  The  first  intima- 
tion of  the  approach  of  the  Americans  was  a  raking  broad- 
side from  the  schooner ;  their  fires  extending  from  the 
river,  enabled  the  assailants  to  take  deliberate  aim.  Cof- 
fee's men,  with  their  usual  impetuosity,  rushed  upon  the 
right,  and  entered  their  camp,  while  Jackson's  troops  in 
front,  advanced  upon  them  with  great  ardour. 

The  enemy,  although  taken  by  surprise,  and  having  se- 
veral hundreds  suddenly  killed  and  wounded,  soon  form- 
ed, and  their  fires  being  extinguished,  came  into  action. — 
A  thick  fog,  which  arose  shortly  after,  producing  some 
confusion  in  the  different  American  corps,  Jackson  pru- 
dently called  off  his  troops,  lay  on  the  field  that  night,  and 
at  four  in  the  morning  took  a  position  on  the  other  side 
of  the  canal  of  Rodrigue,  which  formerly  had  been  a 
mill-race. 

The  American  loss  was  twenty-four  killed,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  wounded,  and  seventy-four  prisoners, 
among  whom  were  many  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
the  city.  Colonel  Lauderdale,  of  Tennessee,  a  brave 
soldier,  fell,  much  lamented.  That  of  the  British  was  es- 
timated at  four  hundred,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 
They  had  intended  to  proceed  to  New-Orleans  the  next 
day,  but  were  induced  to  be  more  cautious,  having  esti- 
mated Jackson's  force  at  fifteen  thousand  men. 

The  general  set  to  work  immediately  to  fortify  his  po- 
sition. This  was  effected  by  a  simple  breastwork,  from 
the  river  to  the  swamp,  with  a  ditch  in  front.  To  hasten 
the  construction  of  these  works,  cotton  bags  were  used, 
as  the  cheeks  of  the  embrazures.  As  the  enemy  was 
still  annoyed  by  the  Caroline,  they  set  to  work  in  con- 
structing batteries  to  attack  her,  and  on  the  twenty-se- 
venth, threw  hot  shot,  by  which  she  was  set  on  fire  and 
blown  up,  about  an  hour  after  she  was  abandoned  by  her 
crew.  The  Louisiana,  which  then  took  her  station,  sus- 


370  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

tained  the  fire  of  all  the  batteries,  until  in  imminent  dan- 
ger. In  losing  her,  the  whole  co-operative  naval  force 
would  be  lost.  Her  commander.  Lieutenant  Thompson, 
after  encountering  many  obstacles,  finally  succeeded  in 
bringing  her  near  Jackson's  position. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Caroline,  Sir  Edward  Pack- 
enham,  the  British  commander  in  chief,  having  landed  the 
main  body  of  his  army,  with  a  sufficient  train  of  artillery, 
superintended  in  person  the  arrangements  for  fortifying 
his  position. 

On  the  twenty-eighth,  the  British  general  advanced  up 
the  levee  in  force,  with  the  intention  of  driving  Jackson 
from  his  entrenchments ;  and  at  the  distance  of  half  a 
mile,  commenced  an  attack  with  rockets,  bombs,  and  a 
heavy  cannonade,  as  he  approached  the  American  works, 
which  were  yet  unfinished.  The  Louisiana,  discharging 
her  broadside  upon  the  enemy's  column,  caused  great  de- 
struction ;  the  fire  from  the  American  batteries  was  not 
less  destructive ;  and  after  a  violent  struggle  of  seven 
hours,  the  British  general  retired. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  seven  killed  and  eight 
wounded  ;  among  the  former,  Colonel  Henderson,  of  Ten- 
nessee. That  of  the  British,  much  more  considerable. 

On  the  morning  of  the  first  of  January,  1815,  Sir  Ed- 
ward Packenham  was  discovered  to  have  constructed  bat- 
teries near  the  American  works,  and  at  daylight  commen- 
ced a  heavy  fire  from  them,  which  was  well  returned  by 
Jackson.  A  bold  attempt  was,  at  the  same  time,  made  to 
turn  the  left  of  the  Americans  ;  but  in  this  the  enemy  was 
completely  repulsed.  The  British  retired  in  the  evening 
from  their  batteries,  having  spiked  their  guns,  and  leaving 
behind  a  quantity  of  ammunition.  The  loss  of  the  Ame- 
ricans, on  this  occasion,  was  eleven  killed  and  twenty- 
three  wounded. 

On  the  fourth,  General  Jackson  was  joined  by  two 
thousand  five  hundred  Kentuckians,  under  (General  Adair ; 
and  on  the  sixth,  the  British  were  joined  by  General  Lam- 
bert, at  the  head  of  four  thousand  men.  The  British 
force  now  amounted  to  little  short  of  fifteen  thousand  of 
the  finest  troops  ;  that  of  the  Americans  to  about  six 
thousand,  chiefly  raw  militia,  a  considerable  portion  un- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  371 

armed,  and,  from  the  haste  of  their  departure,  badly  sup- 
plied with  clothing.  All  the  private  arms  which  the  in- 
habitants possessed  were  collected,  and  the  ladies  of  New- 
Orleans  occupied  themselves  continually  in  making  diffe- 
rent articles  of  clothing.  The  mayor  of  the  city,  Mr. 
Girod,  was  particularly  active  at  this  trying  moment. 

The  British  general  now  prepared  for  a  serious  attempt 
on  the  American  works.  With  great  labour  he  had  com- 
pleted, by  the  seventh,  a  canal  from  the  swamp  to  the 
Mississippi,  by  which  he  was  enabled  to  transport  a  num- 
ber of  his  boats  to  the  river.  It  was  his  intention  to  make 
a  simultaneous  attack  on  the  main  force  of  General  Jack- 
son on  the  left  bank,  and  crossing  the  river  to  attack  the 
batteries  on  the  right. 

The  works  of  the  American  general  were  by  this  time 
completed.  His  front  was  a  straight  line  of  one  thousand 
yards,  defended  by  upwards  of  three  thousand  infantry 
and  artillerists.  The  ditch  contained  five  feet  water,  and 
his  front,  from  having  been  flooded  by  opening  the  levees 
and  frequent  rains,  was  rendered  slippery  and  muddy. 
Eight  distinct  batteries  were  judiciously  disposed,  mount- 
ing, in  all,  twelve  guns,  of  different  calibres.  On  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river  there  was  a  strong  battery  of 
fifteen  guns,  and  the  entrenchments  were  occupied  by 
General  Morgan,  with  the  Louisiana  militia,  and  a  strong 
detachment  of  the  Kentucky  troops.  To  guard  against 
an  attack  from  any  other  quarter,  Colonel  Reuben  Kem- 
per,  with  a  few  men,  encountering  infinite  difficulties, 
had  explored  every  pass  and  bayou,  and,  on  this  sub- 
ject, had  placed  at  ease  the  mind  of  the  commander  in 
chief. 

On  the  memorable  morning  of  the  eighth  of  January, 
General  Packenham,  having  detached  Colonel  Thornton, 
with  a  considerable  force,  to  attack  the  works  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  moved,  with  his  whole  force,  exceeding 
twelve  thousand  men,  in  two  divisions,  under  Major  Ge- 
nerals Gibbs  and  Keane.  and  a  reserve  under  General  Lam- 
bert. The  first  of  these  officers  was  to  make  the  princi- 
pal attack ;  the  two  columns  were  supplied  with  scaling 
ladders  and  fascines. 

Thus  prepared,   the  Americans  patiently  waited   the 


372  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

attack,  which  would  decide  the  fate  of  New-Orleans,  and 
perhaps  of  Louisiana. 

The  British  deliberately  advanced  in  solid  columns, 
over  an  even  plain,  in  front  of  the  American  entrench- 
ments ;  the  men  carrying,  besides  their  muskets,  fascines, 
and  some  of  them  ladders. 

A  dead  silence  prevailed  until  they  approached  within 
reach  of  the  batteries,  which  commenced  an  incessant  and 
destructive  cannonade  ;  they,  notwithstanding,  continued 
to  advance  in  tolerable  order,  closing  up  their  ranks  as 
fast  as  they  were  opened  by  the  fire  of  the  Americans. 
When  they  came  within  reach,  however,  of  the  musketry 
and  rifles,  these  joined  with  the  artillery,  and  produced 
such  dreadful  havoc  that  they  were  instantly  thrown  into 
confusion. 

Never  was  there  so  tremendous  a  fire  as  that  kept  up 
from  the  American  lines;  it  was  a  continued  stream; 
those  behind  loading  for  the  men  in  front,  enabled  them 
to  fire  with  scarcely  an  intermission.  The  British  columns 
were  literally  swept  away ;  hundreds  fell  at  every  dis- 
charge. The  British  officers  were  now  making  an  effort 
to  rally  their  men,  and,  in  this  attempt,  their  commander, 
a  gallant  officer,  General  Packenham,  was  killed. 

The  two  generals,  Gibbs  and  Keane,  succeeded  in  pusn- 
ing  forward  their  columns  a  second  time  ;  but  the  second 
approach  was  more  fatal  than  the  first ;  the  continued 
rolling  fire  of  the  Americans  resembled  peals  of  thun- 
der. It  was  such  as  no  troops  could  withstand.  The 
advancing  columns  broke,  and  no  effort  to  rally  them 
could  avail :  a  few  platoons  only  advanced  to  the  edge  of 
the  ditch,  to  meet  a  more  certain  destruction.  An  una- 
vailing attempt  was  made  to  rally  them  a  third  time,  by 
their  officers,  whose  gallantry,  on  this  occasion,  deserved 
a  better  fate,  in  a  better  cause.  Generals  Gibbs  and 
Keane  were  carried  away,  severely  wounded,  the  former 
mortally. 

The  plain  between  the  front  of  the  British,  and  the 
American  lines,  was  strewed  with  dead ;  so  dreadful  a 
carnage,  considering  the  length  of  time,  and  the  numbers 
engaged,  was  perhaps  never  witnessed.  Two  thousand, 
at  the  lowest  estimate,  pressed  the  earth,  besides  a  num- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  373 

ber  of  the  wounded,  who  were  not  able  to  escape.  The 
loss  of  the  Americans  did  not  exceed  seven  killed  and 
six  wounded.  General  Lambert  was  the  only  general 
officer  left  upon  the  field  ;  being  unable  to  check  the 
flight  of  the  British  columns,  he  retired  to  his  encamp- 
ment. 

In  the  meantime,  the  detachment  under  Colonel  Thorn- 
ton succeeded  in  landing  on  the  right  Jbank,  and  immedi- 
ately attacked  the  intrenchment  of  General  Morgan.  The 
American  right,  believing  itself  outflanked,  abandoned  its 
position,  while  the  left  maintained  its  ground  for  some 
time  ;  but  finding  itself  deserted  by  those  on  the  right, 
and  being  outnumbered  by  the  enemy,  they  spiked  their 
guns  and  retired.  Colonel  Thornton  was  severely  wound- 
ed, and  the  command  devolved  on  Colonel  Gobbins,  who, 
seeing  the  fate  of  the  assault  on  the  left  bank,  and  receiv- 
ing orders  from  General  Lambert,  recrosscd  the  river. 

On  the  return  of  General  Lambert  to  his  camp,  it  was 
resolved,  in  consultation  with  Admiral  Cochrane,  to  retire 
to  their  shipping.  This  was  effected  with  great  secrecy; 
and  during  the  night  of  the  eighteenth,  their  camp  was 
entirely  evacuated.  From  the  nature  of  the  country,  it 
was  found  impossible  to  pursue  them ;  they  left  eight  of 
their  wounded,  and  fourteen  pieces  of  artillery.  Their 
loss  in  this  fatal  expedition  was  immense ;  besides  their 
generals,  and  a  number  of  valuable  officers,  their  force 
wras  diminished  by  at  least  five  thousand  men. 

It  was  in  vain,  as  in  other  instances,  to  conceal  the  truth 
of  this  affair ;  and  the  sensations  which  it  produced  in 
Great  Britain,  are  not  easily  described ;  the  conduct  of 
the  ministry  was  regarded  as  shamefully  dishonourable, 
in  thus  stretching  forth  one  hand  to  receive  the  olive, 
which  was  tendered  by  America,  and  at  the  same  time 
secretly  wielding  a  dagger  with  the  other. 

Commodore  Patterson  despatched  five  rjoats,  under  Mr. 
Shields,  purser  on  the  New-Orleans-  station,  in  order  to 
annoy  the  retreat  of  the  British.  This  active  and  spirited 
officer  succeeded  in  capturing  several  of  their  boats,  and 
in  taking  a  number  of  prisoners. 

The  glorious  defence  of  New-Orleans,  produced  the 
most  lively  joy  throughout  the  United  States,  mingled, 

32  . 


374  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

0| 

however,  with  pity  for  a  brave  enemy,  who  had  encoun- 
tered so  disastrous  a  defeat. 

The  British  fleet  had,  at  the  same  time,  ascended  the 
Mississippi,  for  the  purpose  of  bombarding  Fort  5>t.  Phi- 
lip, which  was  commanded  by  Major  Overtoil ;  but  with- 
out being  able  to  make  any  impression. 

There  is  but  little  doubt,  that  the  object  of  Great  Bri- 
tain was,  to  possess  herself  of  Louisiana,  and  obtaining  a 
cession  from  Spain,  draw  a  cordon  round  the  United 
States,  and  by  that  means  strangle  this  young  Hercules, 
as  it  were,  in  the  cradle.  It  is  well  known,  that  on  board 
the  fleet,  they  had  brought  all  the  officers  necessary  for 
the  establishment  of  a  civil  government,  even  a  collector 
of  the  port ! 

An  American  must  tremble  for  his  country,  when  he 
looks  back  at  the  danger  we  have  escaped.  That  the  Bri- 
tish intended  to  deliver  the  city  of  New-Orleans  to  be 
sacked  by  their  soldiery,  is  very  doubtful ;  and  from  the 
high  character  of  Sir  Edward  Packenham,  it  is  highly 
improbable  that  he  would  have  given,  as  the  watchword 
of  the  occasion,  beauty  and  booty ;  this  was  more  proba- 
bly spoken  by  some  of  the  inferior  officers,  with  a  view 
of  producing  an  excitement  among  the  soldiery. 

We  have  given  the  events  of  this  battle  in  detail,  be- 
cause it  may  be  considered  as  the  most  important  in  its 
consequences,  of  any  which  occurred  during  the  war. 
As  it  will  always  occupy  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  an- 
nals of  our  country,  we  were  unwilling  to  bring  it  into  a 
compass  so  small  as  necessarily  to  omit  many  of  its  fea- 
tures. 

We  turn  now  from  this  grand  spectacle  to  the  ravages 
of  the  contemptible  Cockburn,  who  was  pursuing  a  less 
dangerous,  but  more  profitable  occupation,  in  robbing  the 
defenceless  inhabitants  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia. 
The  produce  of  the  plantations,  household  furniture,  and 
negroes,  were  the  trophies  of  his  prowess.  Let  a  dark 
mantle  shade  his  memory  from  the  light  of  military  and 
naval  renown. 

The  momentous  intelligence  of  the  defeat  of  the  Bri- 
tish at  New-Orleans,  had  scarcely  ceased  to  operate  upon 
the  feelings  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  when  they 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  375 

received  the  welcome  news  of  peace.  These  two  events 
were  joyfully  celebrated,  by  illuminations  throughout  this 
land  of  freedom  and  independence. 

To  us  the  war  is  pregnant  with  important  lessons.  We 
have  acquired  a  knowledge  of  our  weakness  and  of  our 
strength.  Our  confederation  will  rise  like  a  pyramid,  its 
base  eternal.  Our  best  policy  is  peace,  if  honourable ; 
fair  and  honourable  policy  to  all  nations,  preferring  jus- 
tice to  profit.  One  lesson  we  have  been  taught,  which 
was  worth  the  sum  we  have  paid  for  the  war :  THAT  WE 

ARE  WEAK  IN  THE  PURSUIT  OF  CONQUEST,  BUT  ALL  POW- 
ERFUL IN  DEFENCE. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

General  View  of  the  United  States. 

Having  now  brought  the  history  of  our  country  down 
to  the  close  of  the  war  for  "free  trade  and  sailors'  rights," 
we  may  be  allowed  to  take  a  glance  at  the  progress  which 
we  have  made  in  the  acquisition  of  territory  by  treaty 
and  purchase,  and  of  the  prospects  which  open  before  us. 
We  now  number-twenty-four  states,  one  district,  and  six 
territories,  the  boundaries  of  which  follow. 

The  boundary  on  the  side  of  the  Spanish  dominions, 
according  to  the  treaty  with  Spain,  ratified  in  1821,  begins 
on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  Sabine, 
and  proceeds  along  the  west  bank  of  that  river  to  the  33d 
degree  of  N.  lat. ;  thence,  by  a  line  due  north,  to  Red 
River ;  thence  up  that  river,  to  the  meridian  of  100  de- 
grees W.  Ion. ;  thence  due  north  along  that  meridian  to 
the  River  Arkansas  ;  thence  along  the  south  bank  of  the 
Arkansas  to  its  source  ;  thence  due  north  or  south  as  the 
case  may  be,  to  the  parallel  of  42  degrees  N.  lat.,  and 
thence  along  that  parallel  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  On  the 
side  of  the  British  dominions,  the  boundary  begins  in  the 
Atlantic  Ocean,  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  St.  Croix,  and 
proceeds  up  that  river  to  its  source  ;  thence  due  north  to 
the  highlands,  which  separate  the  waters  falling  into  the 


376  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

St.  Lawrence  from  those  which  fall  into  the  Atlantic, 
thence  along  those  highlands  in  a  S.  W.  direction,  to  the 
parallel  of  45  degrees  N.  lat. ;  thence  along  that  parallel 
to  the  River  St.  Lawrence ;  and  thence  up  that  river  and 
the  great  lakes  Ontario,  Erie,  Huron,  and  Superior,  to 
the  most  northwestern  point  of  the  Lake  of  the  Woods. 
By  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain,  in  1819,  the  boundary 
ine  proceeds  from  the  last  mentioned  point,  due  north  or 
south,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  the  parallel  of  49  degrees 
N.  lat.,  and  thence  due  west  along  that  parallel  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  The  boundary  between  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  the  Pacific  Ocean  remains  unsettled. 

The  states  are  arranged  according  to  their  location, 
thus:  Eastern — Maine,  New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts, 
Vermont,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  six.  Middle — 
New-York,  New-Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Ma- 
ry land,  five.  Southern — Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  se- 
ven. Western — Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Missouri,  six.  District  of  Columbia,  the  seat 
of  the  general  government,  a  tract  of  ten  miles  square. 
Territories — Michigan,  Northwest,  Arkansas,  Missouri, 
Oregon,  Florida,  six.  States,  District,  and  Territories, 
in  all  thirty-one.  The  extent  from  south  to  north  is  24 
degrees,  comprehended  between  35  and  49  degrees  N. 
lat.,  and  from  east  to  west,  58  degrees  11  minutes  W.  Ion. 
included  between  66  degrees  49  minutes,  and  135  degrees. 
The  whole  containing  two  millions  of  square  miles. 

By  the  census  of  1820,  the  whole  population  was  nine 
millions,  six  hundred  and  forty-one  thousand,  seven  hun- 
dred and  eighty-four.  The  District  of  Columbia,  being 
of  small  extent,  and  embracing  three  populous  places, 
Washington,  Alexandria,  and  Georgetown,  contains  the 
most  dense  population,  and  averages  three  hundred  and 
thirty  on  a  square  mile.  Next  in  population  is  Massachu- 
setts, which  has  seventy-two  on  the  square  mile.  Con- 
necticut fifty-eight,  and  Rhode  Island  fifty-three.  Dela- 
ware thirty-four ;  New-York  thirty ;  Maryland  twenty- 
nine  ;  New-Hampshire  twenty-six  ;  Vermont  and  Penn- 
sylvania twenty-three  ;  South  Carolina  twenty ;  Virginia 
seventeen ;  Ohio  fifteen ;  Kentucky  and  North  Carolina 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  3T7 

thirteen  ;  Tennessee  eleven ;  Georgia  six  ;  Louisiana  and 
Alabama  three ;  Mississippi  two ;  Illinois  and  Missouri 
one;  Michigan  contains  one  inhabitant  to  about  five 
square  miles ;  northwest  unknown ;  Arkansas,  Missouri, 
and  Oregon,  contain  a  million  of  square  miles,  and  the 
first  more  than  fourteen  thousand  inhabitants.  Florida 
has  about  one  inhabitant  to  three  square  miles. 

With  a  knowledge  of  the  qualities  of  the  soil,  healthi- 
ness of  the  clime,  water  privileges  and  communications, 
those  who  wish  to  emigrate,  can  determine  on  the  most 
eligible  situation  with  a  tolerable  degree  of  accuracy,  ac- 
cording to  the  business  which  they  propose  to  pursue. 

Another  consideration  with  those  who  wish  to  change 
their  place  of  residence,  may  sometimes  be  taken  into  the 
account,  and  this  is  the  prevalence  of  religious  opinion. 
Taking  the  whole  of  the  Union  collectively,  the  principal 
religious  denominations  are  Presbyterians  and  Congrega- 
tionalists,  who  have,  together,  more  than  2500  congrega- 
tions ;  the  Baptists,  who  have  more  than  2000  congrega- 
tions ;  the  "Friends,  who  have  more  than  500  societies  ; 
and  the  Episcopalians,  who  have  about  300.  The  Metho- 
dists, also,  are  very  numerous.  The  Baptists  and  Metho- 
dists are  found  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  ;  the 
Congregationalists  are  almost  wrholly  in  New-England  ; 
the  Presbyterians  are  scattered  over  the  middle  and 
southern  states  ;  the  Friends  are  most  numerous  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  adjoining  states,  and  the  Episcopalians 
in  New-York,  Connecticut,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  Ger- 
man Lutherans,  German  Calvinists,  and  Moravians,  are 
also  numerous  in  the  middle  states. 

But,  besides  these,  the  Unitarians  are  a  fast  increasing 
sect,  of  which  a  majority  of  the  Congregational  societies 
in  Boston  are  known  to  be,  and,  more  or  less,  the  doc 
trine  is  spreading  through  the  United  States,  though  the 
principal  part  of  the  societies  are  supposed  to  be  in  New- 
England.  The  Universalists  are  also  numerous  in  Maine, 
Massachusetts,  New-Hampshire,  and  Vermont;  and  in 
the  western  counties  of  New-York  they  abound.  In  New 
York  city  and  Philadelphia,  are  several  churches,  and  in 
South  Carolina,  Ohio,  Alabama,  and  Georgia,  they  are 
fast  increasing. 

32* 


378  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Next  to  religious  opinions,  the  sort  of  people  among 
whom  we  purpose  to  fix  a  permanent  abode,  may  very 
properly  be  considered.  Of  the  United  States,  the  inha- 
bitants consist  of  whites,  negroes,  and  Indians. 

The  negroes  are  generally  slaves,  and  are  principally 
confined  to  the  states  south  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
River  Ohio.  All  the  whites  are  of  European  origin; 
principally  English.  The  New-Englanders.  Virginians, 
and  Carolinians,  are  almost  purely  English.  Next  to  the 
English  are  the  Germans,  who  are  very  numerous  in  the 
middle  states,  particularly  in  Pennsylvania.  Next  to  the 
Germans  are  the  Dutch,  who  are  most  numerous  in  New- 
York.  The  French  constitute  nearly  half  the  population 
of  Louisiana.  The  Irish  and  Scotch  are  found  in  the 
middle  states,  in  the  back  parts  of  Virginia,  and  in  all  the 
principal  cities  of  the  Union.  Very  little  is  known  about 
the  Indians  west  of  the  Mississippi.  The  four  principal 
tribes  on  the  east  of  the  Mississippi  are  the  Creeks,  Choc- 
taws,  Cherokees,  and  Chickasaws.  These  tribes  live 
within  the  chartered  limits  of  Georgia,  Alabama,  Missis- 
sippi, and  Tennessee. 

In  a  country  of  such  great  extent,  the  habits,  manners, 
and  general  occupations  of  the  people,  will,  of  course, 
differ  materially.  The  eastern,  or  New-England  states, 
in  the  interior  portions,  have,  until  lately,  devoted  their 
attention  principally  to  agriculture,  confined  to  such  arti- 
cles as  are  of  prime  necessity  in  sustaining  life.  The 
cities  and  towns  on  the  seaboard,  have  attended  to  the 
fisheries  and  commerce  generally.  Lately  they  have 
been  led  to  manufactures,  particularly  of  cloths  and  cot- 
ton, for  which  their  various  streams  are  well  adapted. 
The  restrictions  on  commerce,  if  continued,  will  probably 
direct  most  of  the  capital  hitherto  occupied  in  foreign 
commerce,  into  this  channel.  The  immense  forests  •  in 
some  of  the  states,  will,  however,  occupy  numbers  in  the 
lumber  trade,  for  yeaj*s  to  come. 

New-England  undoubtedly  holds  the  first  rank  in  lite- 
rature, commerce,  enterprise,  and  wealth,  but  in  grandeur 
and  sublimity,  and  the  natural  means  of  wealth,  the  west- 
ern states  are  more  than  successful  rivals.  The  plains 
and  mountains,  and  rivers  and  forests  of  the  newly  settled 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  379 

parts  of  the  new  world,  have  no  parallel  in  the  eastern 
continent.  The  following  description  of  the  prairies  of 
Louisiana  is  extracted  from  Niles'  Register,  a  work  not 
exceeded  in  this  country  for  the  extent  and  value  of  its 
communications. 

The  districts  of  Attakapas  and  Oppelousas,  which 
stretch  along  the  Mexican  gulph,  from  the  Attchaffallaya 
to  the  Sabine,  are  scarcely  known  to  geographers,  though 
they  form  a  most  interesting  portion  of  the  republic.  The 
fertility  of  the  soil,  the  value  of  its  products — the  immense 
natural  meadows  which  cover  five  eighths  of  the  country, 
and  their  peculiar  fitness  for  feeding  cattle,  are  all  worthy 
the  attention  of  the  shoals  of  emigrants  who  are  seeking 
wealth  or  liberty,  to  the  west  and  south.  The  accounts 
published  by  Brackenridge  and  Darby  are  most  to  be  re- 
lied on  ;  but  neither  of  those  writers  have  been  sufficiently 
explicit,  though  each  enjoyed  opportunities  of  acquiring 
better  information.  The  following  statement  may,  per- 
haps, be  perused  with  some  interest  by  such  as  are  pleased 
to  note  the  rapid  inarch  which  our  country  is  making  to 
power,  and  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  vast  resources 
of  Louisiana. 

About  the  year  1755,  a  few  French  traders  commenced 
a  traffic  for  peltry  with  the  Indians,  who  inhabited  those 
prairies.  They  were  soon  followed  by  others,  who,  re- 
marking the  great  profits  to  be  realized  from  stock  raising, 
introduced  horned  cattle  into  the  country.  Their  success 
encouraged  others  to  adventure ;  and  we  find  from  the 
census  of  1785,  that  Attakapas  and  Oppelousas  then  con- 
tained 2408  inhabitants.  In  the  year  1801,  their  popula- 
tion was  rated  at  7250,  of  which  3500  were  slaves.  Up 
to  the  last  named  epocha,  stock  raising  formed  the  almost 
exclusive  occupation  of  the  inhabitants.  They  supplied 
New-Orleans  and  the  Mississippi  coast  with  beef,  at  the 
rate  of  one  cent  and  a  fourth  per  pound ;  but  even  at  this 
price,  many  had  amassed  money  enough  to  purchase  slaves 
and  commence  farming  establishments.  The  American 
government,  which  took  place  early  in  1804,  gave  new 
stimulus,  and  induced  the  inhabitants  to  turn  their  atten- 
tion more  to  planting. 

The  soil  and  climate  uniting  with  their  exertions  and 


380  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

industry,  have  secured  to  the  first  planters  of  those  dis- 
tricts a  most  enviable  independence.  A  few  years  ago 
they  were  a  horde  of  shepherds,  consequently  a  hardy 
and  virtuous  race.  Of  late  their  plan  of  life  has  changed, 
and  their  means  rapidly  increased,  without  introducing 
the  thousand  fictitious  wants,  which  usually  travel  in  the 
train  of  wealth.  Even  now  it  is  no  uncommon  sight  to 
see  a  planter  of  those  countries,  owning,  perhaps,  seventy 
or  eighty  slaves,  clad  in  the  product  of  his  wife's  loom, 
attending  to  his  horses.,  oxen,  or  crop,  with  more  assi- 
duity and  attention,  than  characterizes  a  Carolina  over- 
seer : — yet,  if  a  stranger  visits  him,  he  will  find  his  table 
crowded  with  the  best  wines  of  the  world,  and  no  lack  of 
intelligence  or  any  thing  else  which  forms  good  cheer. 

Riches  here,  appear  to  add  only  to  the  comfores  of 
their  possessor,  without  forming  the  invidious  distinc- 
tions among  men  which  exist  in  other  parts  of  the  world. 
The  ease  with  which  they  are  acquired,  may  be  the  rea- 
son of  this — but  the  detached  situation  of  the  country  ac- 
counts for  it  more  rationally.  Besides  the  population  is 
as  yet  quite  thinly  scattered  over  an  immense  territory, 
and  wherever  this  is  the  case,  we  do  not  usually  find  so 
many  of  those  little  presuming  animals,  wearing  the  shapes 
of  men,  which  are  such  great  nuisances  in  thickly  inhabit- 
ed countries. 

In  1810,  Attakapas  and  Oppelousas,  contained  13,774 
souls.  For  two  years  after  the  census  was  taken,  there 
was  a  great  emigration  to  the  country.  It  was  stopped 
early  in  1813,  by  the  pressure  of  the  war ;  but  since  the 
peace,  it  has  recommenced.  At  present,  (Sept.  1817,)  I 
feel  confident  the  population  would  be  estimated  too  low 
at  20,000. 

It  is  the  custom  for  the  rich  and  gay  young  people  of 
Louisiana  and  Mississippi,  to  spend  their  carnival  at  New- 
Orleans.  The  health  enjoyed  by  the  young  ladies  of  the 
prairies,  added  to  their  active  and  industrious  habits, 
gives  them  bloom  and  beauty,  which  cast  the  belles  oi 
other  districts  into  the  shade.  It  is  a  singular  fact,  that 
for  thirteen  winters  past,  the  reigning  toast  in  the  Orleans 
ball  rooms,  has  been  almost  always  from  Attakapas  or 
Oppelousas. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  381 

The  topography  of  those  countries  are  pretty  accu- 
rately delineated  in  Darby's  map  of  Louisiana.  His  book 
is  a  very  inferior  production  to  his  map,  and  not  much  to 
be  relied  on  as  useful  information.  I  will  here  add  a  few 
words  concerning  the  soil  and  its  productions ;  but  as 
these  vary  in  an  extent  of  country,  containing  about 
300,000  square  miles,  I  will  consider  the  districts  sepa- 
rately. 

Oppelousas,  lying  to  the  northwest  of  Attakapas,  is 
well  calculated  for  a  grazing  country.  Its  prairies  are 
xvery  extensive,  and  the  greater  parts  of  the  land  second 
and  third  rate.  The  lands  of  the  best  quality  in  this 
country,  are  in  its  southwest  corner,  consisting  of  a  strip 
about  twenty-six  miles  long,  and  eight  wide.  In  this  tract 
are  situated  many  large  plantations,  which  yield  immense 
profits  to  their  proprietors.  The  northern  part  of  the 
country,  bordering  on  Rapide  district,  is  poor  land,  and 
the  western  section,  which  skirts  the  gulph  and  the  River 
Sabine,  is  little  better.  Those  lands,  however,  produce 
tolerable  corn,  and  a  coarse  luxuriant  grass,  which  can 
feed  cattle  enough  to  supply  the  home  and  West  India 
markets. 

Attakapas  is  divided  into  two  parishes,  St.  Mary  and 
St.  Martin.  The  Vermillion  River  rises  in  Oppelousas, 
and  on  entering  St.  Martin's,  becomes  a  considerable 
stream.  The  lands  on  its  banks  are  high,  and  generally 
of  the  best  quality.  After  a  course  of  ninety  miles  in 
this  parish,  it  falls  into  the  bay  of  the  same  name,  near  the 
30th  degree  of  north  latitude.  Between  the  Vermillion 
and  the  Minton,  (the  western  limit  of  Attakapas,)  lies  a 
prairie  country,  which  in  soil  is  nothing  icmarkable,  but 
affords  excellent  pasturage. 

The  Tesche,  likewise,  rises  in  Oppelousas,  near  the 
source  of  the  Vermillion.  Its  general  course  is  to  the 
south  east,  piercing  the  western  sections  of  St.  Mar- 
tin and  St.  Mary.  It  meets  the  Attchaffallaya  at  Berwick's 
Bay,  and  is  navigable  for  seventy  miles  from  its  mouth 
for  the  largest  boats,  and  for  smaller  craft  almost  to  its 
source.  From  the  line  of  Oppelousas  to  Berwick's  Bay, 
a  distance  of  more  than  ninety  miles,  there  is  no  soil  on 
its  banks  which  is  not  first  rate.  As  it  approaches  the 


382  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

sea,  however,  the  land  is  thought  to  improve,  and  the  cli- 
mate certainly  becomes  more  favourable  to  the  culture  of 
sugar.  Between  the  upper  part  of  the  Tesche  and  the 
Vermillion,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Martin,  lies  a  rich  tract 
of  country,  principally  prairie.  It  is  as  yet  very  partial- 
ly settled,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  wood. 

This  cannot  form  a  permanent  impediment,  as  trees, 
when  planted  in  those  meadows,  and  shielded  from  the  ver- 
nal burnings  of  the  grass,  thrives  faster  than  any  soil  I 
have  ever  seen.  Several  persons  have  already  tried  the 
experiment,  and  find  four  or  five  years  sufficient  to  grow 
any  supply  of  firewood  they  may  want.  Besides,  there 
is  not  any  part  of  the  rich  meadows  of  Attakapas  more 
than  five  miles  distant  from  plenty  of  wood.  The  climate 
is,  at  the  same  time,  so  mild,  that  fuel  is  little  wanted  but 
for  the  kitchen. 

The  good  lands  of  Oppelousas  and  St.  Martin's  are 
best  adapted  to  the  culture  of  cotton.  They  sent  to  New- 
Orleans  last  year  6,000  bales  of  fine  cotton ;  and  if  the 
whole  of  their  rich  soil  was  cultivated,  might  produce  an- 
nually more  than  sixty  thousand  bales.  About  five  thou- 
sand steers  are  each  year  exported  from  those  districts, 
which  sell  at  home  for  twelve  dollars  each. 

The  parish  of  St.  Mary's,  being  the  southern  part  of 
the  tract  of  country  under  consideration,  is  well  adapted 
for  the  culture  of  sugar.  This  was  doubted,  until  some 
of  the  enterprizing  American  emigrants  tested  it,  in  the 
last  two  years,  by  the  most  successful  experiments.  It  is 
found  to  succeed  as  well,  if  not  better,  than  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  the  cane  is  certainly  brought  to  maturity  with 
less  labour.  Cotton  also  succeeds  remarkably  well,  but 
will  soon  give  way  to  sugar.  In  the  year  1816,  this  pa- 
rish, with  a  population  of  about  3,000  souls,  sent  to  mar- 
ket 2,500  bales  of  cotton,  900  hogsheads  of  sugar,  and 
800  beef  cattle,  which  sold  for  350,000  dollars. 

Some  sugar  has  been  cultivated  in  Oppelousas  and  St. 
Martin's,  but,  owing  to  mismanagement  or  the  climate,  it 
has  not  succeeded  well. 

The  parish  of  St.  Mary  is  in  no  place  more  than  ten 
miles  wide,  having  the  sea  on  one  side,  and  Lake  Platt 
and  the  Attchaflallaya  on  the  other,  which  may  have  an 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  383 

influence  on  the  early  frosts,  and  protect  the  cane  crop 
till  it  reaches  maturity. 

The  Tesche  lands  lie  mostly  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet 
above  the  highest  swells  produced  by  the  Mississippi 
floods.  In  the  year  1813,  and  1815,  when  there  were 
very  great  freshets,  the  lakes  between  the  prairies  and  the 
Mississippi,  and  with  them  the  Tesche,  rose  about  eight 
feet  above  their  common  level.  But  a  recurrence  of  this 
can  scarcely  be  expected,  as  the  levees  on  the  Great  River 
are  rapidly  extending,  which  will  prevent  its  waters 
from  flowing  into  the  lakes.  But  even  if  the  levees 
should  be  demolished,  the  prairies  are  too  high  ever  to  be 
inundated. 

The  Vermillion  is  never  affected  by  the  Mississippi. 
The  lands  on  its  banks  (and,  indeed,  in  every  other  part  of 
the  country  except  the  Tesche)  are  from  30  to  100  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

Sloops  of  100  tons  can  ascend  the  Tesche  to  Nova 
Iberia,  600  miles  from  its  mouth ;  though  the  produce  of 
the  country  is  seldom  carried  direct  to  the  ocean,  the 
Tesche,  and  AttchafTallaya  communicate  with  the  Missis- 
sippi by  the  Lafourch  and  Plaquamine ;  a  voyage  from 
any  part  of  those  rivers  can  be  easily  made  to  New-Or- 
leans in  nine  days. 

Along  the  coast  of  Attakapas  are  found  four  islands, 
viz.  Belle  Isle,  Cole  Blanche,  Grand  Cote,  and  Petite 
Ance,  which  bear  no  resemblance  to  the  main  land,  and 
appear  to  be  remnants  of  some  ancient  continent.  They 
rise  several  hundred  feet  above  the  tides,  and  I  would 
suppose  originally  belonged  to  a  high  diversified  coun- 
try Be  this  as  it  may,  they  have  a  very  fertile  soil,  and 
produce  the  best  sugar  and  cotton  of  Louisiana.  The 
four  islands  contain  about  7000  superficial  acres  of  good 
land.  There  are  sugar  establishments  on  all  but  Belle 
Isle.  There  are  other  islands  lying  in  the  Attchaffallaya, 
or  Berwick's  Bay,  which  have  a  very  good  soil,  but  once 
in  ten  or  fifteen  years  have  been  liable  to  be  overflowed 
by  the  heaviest  swells  of  the  Mississippi. 

In  Oppelousas  about  one  third  of  the  population  is 
Americans.  In  St.  Martin's  one  fifth,  and  in  St.  Mary's 
more  than  a  moiety.  The  rest  are  principally  French. 


384  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Lands  throughout  the  whole  country  are  to  be  had  at  a 
very  low  rate,  though  they  are  rising  every  day  in  value. 
JGood  tracts  in  the  parish  of  St.  Mary's,  with  plenty  of 
wood,  may  be  had  for  two  and  three  dollars  the  acre. 

With  a  salubrious  climate,  a  rich  soil,  and  industrious 
population,  Attakapas,  and  Oppelousas,  will  soon  not  only 
be  called  the  richest  counties  of  Louisiana,  but  outstrip 
in  agriculture  any  section  of  the  union.  Such  a  country 
is  worthy  of  observation,  and  with  the  hope  that  the  re- 
marks I  have  made  may  result  to  the  advantage  of  emi- 
grants, I  submit  them  to  my  countrymen. 

Comparative  Estimate  of  the 

POPULATION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  northern  and  eastern  sections  of  the  Union  are  far 
less  favoured  by  nature  for  the  production  of  the  fruits  of 
the  earth,  than  the  southern  and  western.  And  hence 
emigrations  are  frequent,  and  the  drain  of  inhabitants 
great.  And  yet  the  fact  is  evident,  that  in  New-England 
the  population  is  constantly  and  rapidly  increasing.  By 
comparing  the  census  of  1810  with  that  of  1820,  we  per- 
ceive a  very  regular  progression,  and  with  very  few  ex- 
ceptions, an  increase  equal  to  that  which  might  be  ex- 
pected, even  without  the  loss  of  emigrants.  During  the 
ten  years  mentioned,  in  Maine,  the  most  barren  state  in 
New-England,  the  net  gain  of  inhabitants  was  near  70,000, 
being  an  additioa  of  nearly  one  third  of  its  former  num- 
bers. The  increase  was  in  all  the  counties. 

In  the  same  time  New-Hampshire  gained  about  30,000, 
being  an  increase  of  more  than  one  ninth  of  her  former 
numbers,  and  no  loss  in  either  of  her  counties.  In  Ver- 
mont, the  increase  was  about  18,000,  and  no  loss  in  any 
section  of  the  state.  In  Massachusetts,  the  gain  was 
51,000,  being  an  increase  of  about  one  eighth.  Berkshire 
county  lost  two  hundred  and  seventeen,  and  Duke's  county 
gained  but  two.  In  Rhode  Island,  the  gain  was  much 
less  than  might  be  expected,  considering*  the  flourishing 
state  of  manufactures,  and  the  encouragement  held  out 
to  enterprise.  The  whole  increase  was  but  about  6,000, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  385 

being  one  twelfth  of  her  former  population.  In  New- 
port county,  the  loss  was  about  five  hundred.  In  Con- 
necticut, the  gain  was  14,000,  being  an  increase  of  about 
one  twentieth  of  its  former  numbers.  Thus  the  net  in^ 
crease  in  the  New-England  states,  during  ten  years,  was 
183,000. 

"We  come  now  to  the  great  state  of  New-York,  which 
is  divided  into  four  large  districts,  viz.  South,  Middle, 
Eastern,  and  Western.  The  gain  of  inhabitants  in  the 
South,  during  ten  years,  was  nearly  39,000,  of  which  New- 
York  city  and  county  received  about  27,000.  The  gain 
in  the  Middle  district  was  37,000.  In  the  Eastern,  the 
increase  was  23,000,  in  which  is  Washington  county, 
which  lost  during  this  time,  nearly  six  thousand.  The 
greatest  increment  was  in  the  Western  district,  which 
nearly  doubled  in  the  aggregate,  and  some  of  the  counties 
of  which,  more  than  tripled  their  former  numbers.  St. 
Lawrence,  Courtland,  Broome,  and  Ontario  doubled  ;  and 
Genesee  increased  more  than  four  fold.  The  whole  gain 
in  the  state  was  413,763,  which  is  an  addition  to  the  cen- 
sus of  1810,  of  one  half,  wanting  a  fraction.  The  popu- 
lation of  the  state  may  now  be  fairly  estimated  at  sixteen 
hundred  thousand. 

New- Jersey  exhibits  a  regular  progression,  having  added 
to  her  population  but  thirty-two  thousand,  each  of  the 
counties  having  contributed  about  a  fair  proportion.  The 
addition  is  about  one  seventh  in  ten  years.  Pennsylvania 
exhibits  a  considerable  increase  during  this  period,  but 
the  result  in  the  different  counties  is  very  unequal.  Clear- 
field,  Erie,  Jefferson,  M'Kean,  Tioga,  and  Warren,  have 
about  doubled,  and  some  of  them  more  than  tripled  their 
numbers,  while  Cumberland,  Dauphin,  and  Northampton, 
have  lost  thousands,  and  Northumberland  alone,  twenty- 
one  thousand,  being  three  thousand  more  than  half  its 
former  inhabitants.  The  whole  increment  to  the  state 
during  ten  years,  was  239,307,  of  which  Philadelphia  city 
and  county  claim  nearly  twenty-six  thousand.  Delaware 
had  gained  but  seventy-five  during  this  time,  the  whole 
population  in  1820,  amounting  to  less  than  73,000.  In 
Maryland,  the  following  counties  diminished  about  thir- 
teen thousand  in  ten  years,  viz.  Charles,  Montgomery, 

33 


386  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Harford,  Queen  Ann,  and  Dorchester.  The  whole  gain 
in  the  state,  however,  was  near  twenty-seven  thousand, 
the  whole  population  being  more  than  four  hundred  and 
seven  thousand. 

Having  now  come  in  course  to  the  District  of  Columbia, 
a  particular  description  may  be  desirable,  at  least  so  far 
as  the  principal  city  is  worthy  of  note. 

Washington  city,  the  metropolis  of  the  United  States, 
is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  north-east  bank  of  the  River 
Potomac,  at  the  point  of  land  formed  by  the  junction  of  the 
Eastern  branch,  300  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
and  three  miles  below  the  head  of  the  tide.  It  is  sepa- 
rated from  Georgetown  on  the  N.  W.  by  Rock  Creek,  and 
Tyber  Creek  passes  through  the  middle  of  the  city.  Wash- 
ington is  regularly  laid  out  in  streets  running  clue  north 
and  south,  intersected  by  others  at  right  angles.  Besides 
these  streets,  which  are  from  80  to  110  feet,  wide,  there  are 
avenues,  from  130  to  160  feet  broad,  which  diverge  from 
centres  in  various  parts  of  the  city,  crossing  the  other 
streets  transversely.  At  the  points  from  which  the  ave- 
nues diverge  are  spacious  squares.  The  ground  embraced 
in  the  plan  of  the  city  is  very  extensive,  but  only  a  small 
portion  of  it  is  yet  occupied  with  buildings. 

The  principal  public  buildings  and  establishments  are, 
1.  The  Capitol,  which  is  finely  situated  on  an  eminence, 
commanding  a  view  of  every  part  of  the  city,  and  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  adjacent  country.  According  to 
the  original  plan,  it  is  to  be  composed  of  a  central  edifice 
and  two  wings.  The  two  wings  were  in  a  state  of  con- 
siderable forwardness  in  1814,  when  the  British  army, 
under  General  Ross,  gained  possession  of  the  city,  and 
destroyed  them,  together  with  the  President's  house  and 
other  public  structures,  and  an  extensive  library,  which 
had  been  purchased  for  the  use  of  congress.  The  wings 
of  the  capitol  are  now  rebuilt,  and  the  central  building 
has  been  commenced.  The  wings  are  each  100  feet 
square,  and  the  whole  building,  when  completed,  will  be 
a  magnificent  edifice,  presenting  a  front  of  362  feet.  2. 
The  President's  house,  situated  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
west  of  the  capitol,  on  the  avenue  leading  to  Georgetown. 
It  is  170  feet  by  85,  and  two  stories  high.  3.  Four  spa- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  387 

cious  buildings,  erected  in  the  vicinity  of  the  president's 
house,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  heads  of  the  great 
departments  of  government.  4.  An  extensive  navy-yard, 
situated  on  the  eastern  branch,  which  forms  a  safe  and 
commodious  harbour.  5.  A  fort,  which,  from  the  ex- 
treme southern  point  of  the  land  on  which  the  city  stands, 
commands  the  channel  of  the  Potomac ;  and,  6.  the  gene- 
ral post-office,  a  brick  edifice,  about  a  mile  W.  N.  W.  of 
the  capitol.  The  style  of  the  architecture  of  the  capitol 
is  Corinthian,  and  that  of  the  president's  house  Ionic  ;  and 
both  buildings  are  constructed  of  free  stone.  The  capi- 
tol square  is  enclosed  by  a  strong  and  handsome  iron  rail- 
ing ;  and  being  planted  with  trees,  and  otherwise  orna- 
mented, will  afford  a  delightful  walk  for  the  inhabitants  and 
visiters  of  the  city.  The  amount  expended  by  the  Uni- 
ted States  on  the  public  buildings,  previously  to  their  de- 
struction by  the  British,  in  August,  1814,  was  $1,214,291, 
and  there  have  been  appropriated,  towards  rebuilding  the 
same,  $1,207,788. 

Besides  the  buildings  and  establishments  above  enume- 
rated, Washington  contains  a  city  hall,  a  theatre,  a  col- 
lege, 4  banks,  several  manufacturing  establishments,  and 
12  houses  for  public  worship,  3  for  Presbyterians,  2  for 
Episcopalians,  2  for  Baptists,  2  for  Methodists,  2  for  Ca- 
tholics, and  1  for  Friends.  There  is  a  bridge  about  one 
mile  long,  over  the  Potomac,  three  over  the  eastern  branch, 
and  two  over  Rock  Creek.  The  population  of  Washing- 
tori,  in  1800,  was  3,210 ;  in  1810,  8,208 ;  and  in  1820, 
13,247,  of  whom  3,741  were  blacks. 

The  whole  gain  in  the  district,  during  ten  years,  was 
nine  thousand. 

The  southern  states,  except  Alabama,  Mississippi,  and 
Louisiana,  afford  but  small  inducements  for  the  settlement 
of  emigrants.  The  two  former  have  considerably  in- 
creased, and  the  latter  nearly  doubled  her  numbers  in  ten 
years.  Tennessee  has  increased  in  the  same  ratio,  and 
Kentucky  has  gained  more  than  fifteen  thousand  annually, 
numbering,  at  the  last  census,  nearly  six  hundred  thou- 
sand. But  in  point  of  gain  in  numbers,  Ohio  takes  the 
lead  of  all  her  sister  states,  having  increased,  from  1810 
to  1820,  350,674 ;  and,  at  the  last  census,  was  noted  down 
at  518,434. 


388  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Having  now  digressed  a  little  from  the  track  of  histo- 
ry, without  entirely  losing  our  way,  we  shall  return  to 
the  thread  of  our  work,  as  connected  more  particularly 
with  the  doings  of  our  government. 


CHAPTER  XVII, 

President  Monroe's  Administration. 

Mr.  Monroe  was  sworn  into  office  as  President  of  the 
United  States,  on  the  fourth  of  March,  1817,  and  entered 
on  his  duties  under  favourable  auspices.  On  his  acces- 
sion to  the  presidency,  the  country  was  in  a  prosperous 
state.  War  had  ceased,  and  with  it  much  of  the  asperity 
of  political  excitement  and  party  bickering.  But  to  re- 
pair the  losses  of  the  war,  and  to  regain  the  commercial 
prosperity,  which  had  been  nearly  annihilated,  was  not 
the  work  of  a  moment.  Much  of  the  commerce  to  which 
our  attention  had  been  turned,  had  fallen  into  other  hands, 
and  ship  building,  excepting  for  the  navy,  had  been  nearly 
forgotten.  Our  country  was  inundated  by  foreign  fabrics, 
and  the  specie,  which  had  been  borrowed  at  a  great  pre- 
mium, was  fast  leaving  the  country.  But  still  the  inau- 
gural address  of  the  president  was  encouraging,  and  he 
anticipated  a  return  of  our  former  prosperity. 

During  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1817,  the  president 
made  a  tour  through  the  northern  and  eastern  sections  of 
the  Union,  where  his  presence  was  welcomed  with  the 
greatest  cordiality,  and  party  feeling  seemed  merged  in 
national  patriotism.  But,  in  this  journey,  the  national 
interests  were  a  principal  object.  Large  sums  had  been 
appropriated  by  the  national  legislature  for  the  defence  of 
the  sea-coast,  the  safety  of  our  inland  frontier,  the  in- 
crease of  the  navy,  and  the  establishment  of  national 
docks,  the  superintendence  of  which  was  committed  to 
the  president.  That  he  might  discharge  his  duties  with 
fidelity  and  judgment,  he  determined  to  obtain  the  neces- 
sary information  by  personal  observation. 

From  Washington,  which  he  left  on  the  first  of  June 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  389 

he  went  by  land  to  Boston,  passing  through  the  principal 
cities  on  his  route,  amidst  the  congratulations  and  bene- 
dictions of  a  happy  people.  From  Boston,  where  he 
spent  several  days,  he  passed  through  Salem,  Newbury- 
port,  and  Portsmouth,  to  Portland,  whence  his  course  was 
directed  to  Pittsburgh,  New-York.  This  important  post 
occupied  his  attention  several  days.  His  course  thence 
was  directed  to  Detroit,  through  Ogdensburg  and  Sack- 
etts'  Harbour.  On  the  17th  of  September  he  arrived  at 
Washington,  having  travelled  three  thousand  miles  in 
little  more  than  three  months. 

On  the  first  of  December  congress  convened,  and  the 
message  of  the  president  stated,  that  our  national  credit 
was  rising,  and  that  the  defences  of  the  country  were  in  a 
state  of_  forwardness  ;  that  arrangements  were  made  with 
Great  Britain,  to  reduce  the  naval  force  of  the  two  coun- 
tries on  the  lakes ;  that  each  country  M  as  to  retain  pos- 
session of  the  islands  as  before  the  late  war,  and  that  our 
foreign  relations  were  of  a  pacific  character.  He  also 
specially  recommended  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
revolutionary  army,  to  the  notice  of  congress,  and  press- 
ingly  advocated  a  repeal  of  the  internal  duties,  as  need- 
less to  be  continued  any  longer. 

Mississippi  was  admitted  into  the  union  as  an  indepen- 
dent state  on  the  eleventh,  with  the  usual  formalities.  In 
the  course  of  the  same  month,  an  expedition,  which  had 
been  set  on  foot  against  Florida,  by  foreign  adventurers, 
was  checked  by  the  troops  of  the  United  States.  The 
actors  claimed  authority  under  the  colonies  of  South 
America,  and  had  formed  an  establishment  at  Amelia 
Island,  a  Spanish  province.  The  American  government, 
therefore,  saw  proper  to  take  possession  of  the  island, 
and  break  up  the  haunt  of  a  lawless  banditti. 

Another  establishment,  similar  in  its  profession  and 
practices,  was  formed  at  Galvezton,  an  island  on  the  Texas 
coast  belonging  to  the  United  States.  Slaves,  in  consider- 
able numbers,  were  thus  smuggled  into  the  country,  and 
importations  of  goods  were  made  through  the  same  chan- 
nel, in  a  clandestine  manner.  A  naval  force,  with  troops, 
was  jent  against  them,  and  the  island  surrendered  without 
loss  of  blood. 

33* 


390  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

During  this  session  several  important  bills  passed  the 
ordeal  of  congress,  particularly  that  for  the  relief  of  revo- 
lutionary officers  and  soldiers.  In  April,  1818,  Illinois 
adopted  a  state  constitution,  and,  in  December  following, 
was  admitted  into  the  Union. 

In  May,  1818,  the  president  left  Washington  to"  view 
the  extensive  shores  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  embark- 
ing at  Annapolis,  examined  the  coast  and  waters,  with  a 
view  of  ascertaining  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  naval 
depot  in  that  vicinity;  and  having  accomplished  the  object 
of  his  visit,  returned  through  Virginia  to  the  seat  of  go- 
vernment, which  he  reached  on  the  17th  of  June.  He 
every  where  experienced  the  same  welcome  reception 
which  he  met  in  his  tour  through  the  northern  states 
during  the  preceding  year. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  the  president  and  senate  ratified 
the  treaty  concluded  between  Mr.  Russel  and  the  Swedish 

Government,  and  the  same  was  ratified  by  the  king  of 
vveden  on  the  24th  of  July  following. 

The  Seminole  Indians,  urged  on,  as  is  supposed,  by 
foreign  emissaries  who  resided  among  them,  commenced 
hostilities,  and  several  murders  were  committed;  but  the 
Indians  refused  to  give  up  the  guilty,  alleging  that  the 
whites  were  the  original  aggressors.  In  consequence  of 
this  refusal,  General  Gaines  was  ordered  to  remove,  dis- 
cretionally,  such  Indians  as  were  still  on  the  lands  ceded 
by  the  Creeks  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  execution  of  this  order,  one  man  and  woman  was 
killed,  and  two  women  made  prisoners.  Soon  after  this 
the  Indians  fired  on  a  second  detachment,  who  resisted 
them,  and  a  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  several  were  killed 
and  wounded. 

Shortly  after  this  event,  Lieutenant  Scott,  with  a  de- 
tachment of  forty  men,  seven  women,  and  some  chil- 
dren, ascending  the  Appalachicola,  with  supplies  for  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Scott,  was  attacked,  and  the  whole  par- 
ty killed,  excepting  six  men,  who  made  their  escape,  and 
a  woman,  who  was  taken  prisoner. 

From  this  time  the  war  became  serious.  The  Indians, 
in  considerable  numbers,  were  embodied,  and  an  open  at- 
tack was  made  on  Fort  Scott,  to  which  General  Gaines, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  391 

with  about  six  hundred  regular  soldiers,  was  for  a  time 
confined.  Information  of  this  state  of  things  being  com- 
municated to  the  department  of  war,  General  Jackson 
was  ordered,  December  26,  to  take  the  field,  and  directed, 
if  he  should  deem  the  force  with  General  Gaines,  amount- 
ing to  one  thousand  eight  hundred  men,  insufficient  to 
cope  with  the  enemy,  "  to  call  on  the  executives  of  the 
adjacent  states,  for  such  an  additional  militia  force  as 
he  might  deem  requisite."  On  the  receipt  of  this  order, 
General  Jackson  prepared  to  comply ;  but  instead  of 
calling  on  the  executives  of  the  neighbouring  states,  espe- 
cially on  the  governor  of  Tennessee,  who  lived  near  his 
residence,  he  addressed  a  circular  to  the  patriots  of  West 
Tennessee,  inviting  one  thousand  of  them  to  join  his 
standard. 

At  the  same  time  he  wrote  to  the  governor  of  Tennes- 
see, M'Minn,  informing  him  of  the  appeal  he  had  made  to 
the  men  whom  he  had  led  to  victory  on  the  plains  of  Tal- 
ledega,  Emuckfau,  and  Tohopeko,  and  added,  "  should 
the  appeal  prove  inefficacious,  I  will  embrace  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  making  the  requisition  on  you  for  a  like 
number  of  drafted  im'litia."  The  call  of  General  Jack- 
son was  promptly  obeyed ;  and  the  thousand  volunteers, 
officered  by  the  general,  or  by  the  volunteers  themselves, 
were  ordered  to  Fort  Scott. 

Before  taking  up  his  march,  he  wrote,  January  12th,  to 
the  secretary  of  war,  apprising  him  of  the  appeal  he  had 
made  to  the  Tennesseans,  assigning  as  his  reason  for  such 
a  step,  that  he  deemed  the  force  with  General  Gaines, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred,  insufficient,  and  "  that  the 
greater  portion  of  this  number  were  drafted  militia  from 
Georgia,  who  might  apply  fur  their  discharge  at  the  expi- 
ration of  three  months  from  the  time  they  were  muster- 
ed," about  the  time  he  should  probably  reach  Fort  Scott. 
To  this  communication  the  secretary  replied — "  I  have 
the  honour  to  acquaint  you  of  the  entire  approbation  of 
the  president,  of  all  the  measures  which  you  have  adopt- 
ed, to  terminate  the  rupture  with  the  Indians." 

Believing  that  the  Seminoles  could  not  be  subdued,  un- 
less they  were  followed  into  Florida,  General  Jackson 
marched  upon  St.  Marks,  a  weak  garrison,  where  a  por- 


392  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

tion  of  them  had  taken  refuge.  Possession  of  the  fon 
was  taken  easily,  and  occupied  by  Jackson  as  an  Ameri- 
can post.  The  main  army  then  marched  to  Suwaney  Ri- 
ver, where  they  consumed  an  Indian  village.  At  this 
time  the  court  martial  was  held,  at  which  Alexander  Ar- 
buthnot,  and  Robert  C.  Ambrister,  were  tried  and  con- 
demned to  death.  Two  Indian  Chiefs  were  hung  without 
trial.  The  following  is  extracted  from  the  doings  of  the 
court. 

"  The  court,  on  examination  of  evidence,  and  on  ma- 
ture deliberation,  find  the  prisoner,  Robert  C.  Ambrister, 
guilty  of  the  first  and  second  charges,  and  do  therefore 
sentence  him  to  suffer  death  by  being  shot.  The  mem- 
bers, requesting  a  reconsideration  of  the  vote  on  this  sen- 
tence, and  it  being  had,  they  sentence  the  prisoner  to  re- 
ceive fifty  stripes  on  his  bare  back,  and  be  confined  with  a 
ball  and  chain,  to  hard  labour,  for  twelve  calendar  months. 
The  commanding  general  approves  the  finding  and  sen- 
tence of  the  court,  in  the  case  of  A.  Arbuthnot,  and  ap- 
proves the  finding  and  first  sentence  of  the  court,  in  the 
case  of  Robert  C.  Ambrister,  and  disapproves  the  recon- 
sideration of  the  sentence  of  the  honourable  court  in  this 
case. 

"It  appears  from  the  evidence  and  pleading  of  the  pri- 
soner,  that  he  did  lead  and  command  within  the  territo 
ry  of  Spain,  (being  a  subject  of  Great  Britain,)  the  In 
dians  in  war  against  the  United  States,  those  nations  be- 
ing at  peace.     It  is  an  established  principle  of  the  laws  of 
nations,  that    any  individual    of  a    nation,    making   war 
against  the  citizens  of  any   other  nation,   they   being  at 
peace,  forfeits  his  allegiance,  and  becomes  an  outlaw  and 
pirate.     This  is  the  case  of  Robert  C.  Ambrister,  clearly 
shown  by  the  evidence  adduced. 

"The  commanding  general  orders  that  Brevet  Major 
A.  C.  D.  Fanning,  of  the  corps  of  artillery,  will  have,  be- 
tween the  hours  of  eight  and  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  A.  Ar 
buthnot  suspended  by  the  neck  with  a  rope,  until  he  is 
dead,  and  Robert  CX  Ambrister  to  be  shot  to  death,  agree- 
ably to  the  sentence  of  the  court." 

General  Jackson  soon  received  information,  that  the 
governor  of  Pensacola  favoured  the  Indians ;  on  the  know- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  393 

ledge  of  which,  he  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  the  capi- 
tal, where  he  arrived  at  the  end  of  twenty  days.  The 
place  was  taken  with  hardly  a  show  of  resistance.  The 
governor  having  escaped  to  Barancas,  a  fort  six  miles  dis- 
tant, it  was  invested  by  the  American  troops,  and  taken 
after  a  resistance  of  two  days,  the  troops  being  transported 
to  Havana.  A  military  government  was  instituted,  of 
which  information  was  given  to  the  secretary  of  war. — 
The  president,  however,  soon  restored  the  country  to  the 
Spaniards,  giving  the  reasons  for  its  occupation. 

The  singular  steps  taken  by  the  commanding  general 
in  this  affair  excited  considerable  sensations  in  the  minds 
of  Americans,  and  the  subjects  of  complaint  were  brought 
before  congress.  A  military  committee  censured  his  con- 
duct, but  the  house  did  not  concur. 

In  January,  1819,  a  convention  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  was  sanctioned  by  the  president, 
and  ratified  by  the  prince  regent  in  November  following. 
The  first  article  of  this  instrument,  gave  liberty  to  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  to  take  fish  on  the  northern, 
western,  and  southern  banks  of  Newfoundland.  By  the 
second,  the  northern  boundaries  of  the  United  States, 
from  the  Lake  of  the  Woods  to  the  Stoney  Mountains, 
were  established.  The  fourth  extended  the  term  of 
the  convention  of  1815,  relative  to  commerce,  ten  years 
longer. 

In  February  following,  East  and  West  Florida,  with 
the  adjacent  islands,  were  ceded  to  the  United  States  by 
Spain.  This  treaty  settled  the  boundaries  between  the 
two  countries.  But  the  ratification  of  this  treaty  was  de- 
layevl  by  the  king  of  Spain,  under  pretence  that  an  ex- 
pedition against  Texas  had  been  fitted  out  by  the  United 
States.  The  necessary  explanations  were  made  by  the 
president,  and  a  bill  was  introduced  into  congress,  to  take 
possession  of  Florida,  but  the  step  was  not  taken,  and  in 
October,  the  treaty  was  ratified  by  the  king  of  Spain. 
Formal  possession  was  given  to  the  United  States  in  July 
following. 

In  the  spring  of  1819,  Arkansas  was  constituted  a  ter- 
ritory by  an  act  of  the  congress.  During  the  summer,  the 
president  visited  the  southern  section  of  the  United  States 


394  UNIVERSAL  HISTOXY  OF 

with  a  view  to  the  great  interests  of  the  nation.  He  passed 
through  Charleston,  Savannah,  Augusta,  Nashville,  the 
Cherokee  nation,  Louisville,  Lexington,  and  thence  re- 
turned to  Washington.  In  December,  Alabama  was  ad- 
mitted into  the  union.  This  territory  having  long  been 
a  bone  of  contention,  we  add  the  following  : — 

After  the  peace  of  1783,  Georgia  laid  claim  to  this  ter- 
ritory, and  exercised  jurisdiction  over  it,  until  the  begin- 
ning of  the  present  century.  In  1795,  an  act  passed  the 
legislature  of  Georgia,  by  which  twenty-five  millions  of 
acres,  of  its  western  territory,  were  sold  to  companies 
for  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  the  purchase  money 
was  paid  into  the  treasury.  The  purchasers  of  these 
lands  soon  after  sold  them  at  advanced  prices.  The  sale 
of  the  territory  excited  a  warm  opposition  in  Georgia,  and 
at  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  legislature,  the  transaction 
was  impeached  on  the  ground  of  bribery,  corruption,  and 
tinconstitutionality. 

The  records  respecting  the  sale  were  ordered  to  be 
burnt,  and  the  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  be  refund- 
ed to  the  purchasers.  Those  who  had  acquired  titles  of 
the  original  purchasers,  instituted  suits  in  the  federal 
courts.  In  1802,  however,  Georgia  ceded  to  the  United 
States  all  her  western  territory,  for  one  million  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  On  this  event  the  pur- 
chasers of  the  Yazoo  land  petitioned  congress  for  redress 
and  compensation.  After  considerable  opposition,  an  act 
passed  for  reimbursing  them  with  funded  stock,  called  the 
Mississippi  stock. 

In  the  following  year,  Maine,  which  had  formerly  be- 
longed to  Massachusetts,  was  erected  into  an  indepen- 
dent state,  and  joined  the  federal  union.  The  separa- 
tion from  the  parent  state  was  on  the  most  amicable 
terms. 

Mr.  Monroe  having  been  re-elected  president,  took  the 
usual  oath  of  office  on  the  5th  of  March,  1821,  and  Mr. 
Tompkins  was  again  elected  vice-president.  On  the  10th 
of  August,  the  proclamation  of  the  president  announced, 
that  Missouri  was  admitted  into  the  federal  compact  as  an 
integral  part. 

Upon  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  the  United  States, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  395 

the  district,  which  now  forms  the  state  of  Louisiana, 
was  separated  from  the  territory,  and  made  a  distinct  go- 
vernment, by  the  name  of  the  territory  of  Orleans.  In 
18  il  the  territory  of  Orleans  became  a  state,  by  the  name 
of  Louisiana.  The  remaining  part  of  the  original  pro- 
vince of  Louisiana,  extending  to  the  Pacific,  was  erected 
into  a  territorial  government,  and  called  Missouri.  In 
1818 — 19,  application  was  made  to  congress,  by  the  peo- 
ple of  this  territory,  to  form  a  state  constitution.  A  bill 
was  accordingly  introduced  for  the  purpose,  a  provision 
of  which  forbade  slavery,  or  involuntary  servitude.  The 
bill,  with  this  provision,  passed  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives, but  was  rejected  in  the  senate,  and,  in  conse- 
quence of  this  disagreement,  the  measure,  for  the  time, 
failed. 

In  the  session  of  1819 — 20,  the  bill  was  revived,  and, 
after  long  and  animated  debates,  a  compromise  was  effect- 
ed, by  which  slavery  was  to  be  tolerated  in  Missouri,  and 
forbidden  in  all  that  part  of  Louisiana,  as  ceded  by  France, 
lying  north  of  3()°  30'  north  latitude,  except  so  much  as 
was  included  within  the  limits  of  the  state.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  people  of  Missouri  had  formed  a  state  constitu- 
tion. When  this  constitution  was  presented  to  congress 
in  1820 — 21,  a  provision  in  it,  which  required  th«  legis- 
lature to  pass  laws  "  to  prevent  free  negroes  and  mulat- 
toes  from  coming  to,  and  settling  in,  the  state,"  was 
strenuously  opposed,  on  the  ground  that  it  violated  the 
rights  of  such  persons  of  that  description  as  were  citi- 
zens of  any  of  the  United  States. 

The  contest  occupied  a  great  part  of  the  Cession,  and 
it  was  finally  determined,  by  a  small  majority,  that  Mis- 
souri should  be  admitted,  upon  the  fundamental  condi- 
tion, that  the  contested  clause  should  not  be  construed  to 
authorize  the  passage  of  any  laws  excluding  citizens  of 
other  states  from  enjoying  the  privileges  to  which  they  are 
entitled  by  the  constitution  of  the  United  States.  It  was 
also  provided,  that  if  the  legislature  of  Missouri  should, 
by  a  solemn  public  act,  previously  to  the  fourth  Monday 
of  November,  1821,  declare  the  assent  of  the  state  to  this 
fundamental  condition,  the  president  should  issue  his  pro- 
clamation, declaring  the  admission  complete  On  the 


396  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

24th  of  June,  1821,  the  legislature  of  Missouri  assented 
to  the  fundamental  condition;  and,  on  the  10th  of  Au- 
gust following,  the  president's  proclamation  was  issued,, 
declaring  the  admission  complete. 

During  the  first  session  of  the  seventeenth  congress, 
a  territorial  government  was  established  for  Florida.  At 
the  opening  of  the  second  session,  the  president  informed 
congress,  that,  in  June,  a  convention  of  navigation  and 
commerce,  resting  essentially  on  a  basis  of  reciprocal 
and  equal  advantage  to  the  two  countries,  had  been  con- 
cluded between  France  and  the  United  States ;  that  the 
prohibition  which  had  been  imposed  on  commerce  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  the  British  colonies,  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  on  this  continent,  had  been  removed, 
and  that  the  ports  of  those  colonies  had  been  opened  to 
the  vessels  of  the  United  States,  by  an  act  of  the  British 
parliament. 

In  a  second  message,  a  few  days  subsequently,  the  pre- 
sident introduced  to  the  notice  of  congress,  the  interest- 
ing subject  of  the  "  multiplied  outrages  and  depredations 
recently  committed  on  our  seamen  and  commerce,  by 
pirates  in  the  West  Indies,  and  Gulf  of  Mexico,"  and  re- 
commended the  immediate  organization  of  an  efficient 
force  to  suppress  them.  A  bill  was  accordingly  intro- 
duced, authorizing  the  president  to  provide  such  a  force, 
and  to  despatch  it  immediately  to  the  protection  of  our 
persecuted  seamen. 

Immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  above  bill,  Com- 
modore Porter  was  appointed  to  this  service,  and,  soon 
after,  hoisting  his  broad  pennant  on  board  the  Peaco€kf 
stretched  his  way,  with  a  respectable  force,  to  chastise 
those  miscreants,  that  regard  no  law,  and  that  feel  no 
mercy. 

This  session  closed  on  the  3d  of  March,  1823,  in 
which  little  business  of  general  importance  had  been 
transacted. 

At  the  opening  of  the  first  session  of  the  eighteenth 
congress,  in  December,  the  president  spoke  in  high  terms 
nf  the  prosperous  state  of  the  finances,  and  of  our  ami- 
sable  relations  with  foreign  nations.  In  relation  to  the 
efforts  of  the  executive  to  stop  the  depredations  of  thr 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  397 

pirates  on  the  national  commerce,  the  president  stated, 
that  in  the  West  Indies,  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the 
naval  force  had  been  augmented,  according  to  the  provi- 
sions of  congress.  "  This  armament,"  said  he,  "  has 
been  eminently  successful  in  the  accomplishment  of  its 
pbject.  The  piracies  by  which  cur  commerce,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  has  been  afflicted, 
have  been  repressed,  and  the  confidence  of  the  merchants, 
Li  a  great  measure,  restored." 

In  allusion  to  the  Greek  revolution,  the  president  has 
the  following  judicious  remarks ;  and  though  his  half- 
prophetic  wishes  are  not  yet  realized,  the  prospect  that 
they  will  soon  be  is  certainly  a  bright  one.  "  A  strong 
hope  has  been  long  entertained,  founded  on  the  heroic 
struggle  of  the  Greeks,  that  they  would  succeed  in  their 
contest,  and  resume  their  equal  station  among  the  nations 
of  the  earth.  It  is  believed  that  the  whole  civilized  world 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  their  welfare. 

"  Although  no  power  has  declared  in  their  favour,  yet 
none,  according  to  our  information,  has  taken  part  against 
them.  Their  cause,  and  their  name,  have  protected  them 
from  dangers  which  might,  ere  this,  have  overwhelmed 
any  other  people.  The  ordinary  calculations  of  interest, 
and  of  acquisition,  with  a  view  to  aggrandizement,  which 
mingle  so  much  in  the  transactions  of  nations,  seem  to 
have  had  no  effect  in  regard  to  them.  From  the  facts 
which  have  come  to  our  knowledge,  there  is  good  cause 
to  believe  that  their  enemy  has  lost,  for  ever,  all  dominion 
over  them — that  Greece  will  again  become  an  independent 
nation.  That  she  may  obtain  that  rank,  is  the  object  of 
our  most  ardent  wishes." 

Speaking  of  Spain  and  Portugal,  in  relation  to  the  at- 
tempts of  the  "  Holy  Alliance"  to  extend  their  political 
system  to  South  America,  the  executive  observed,  "  but, 
on  this  topic,  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  cherish 
sentiments  the  most  friendly  in  favour  of  the  liberty  and 
happiness  of  their  fellow  men  on  that  side  of  the  Atlan- 
tic. In  the  wars  of  the  European  powers,  in  matters  re- 
lating to  themselves,  we  have  never  taken  any  part,  nor 
does  it  comport  with  our  policy  so  to  do. 

"  It  is  only  when  our  rights  are  invaded,  or  seriouslj 


398  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

menaced,  that  we  resent  injuries,  or  make  preparation  for 
our  defence.  With  the  movements  in  this  hemisphere, 
we  are,  of  necessity,  more  immediately  connected,  and 
by  causes  which  must  be  obvious  to  all  enlightened  and 
impartial  observers.  The  political  system  of  the  allied 
powers  is  essentially  different,  in  this  respect,  from  that 
of  America.  This  difference  proceeds  from  that  which 
exists  in  their  respective  governments.  And  to  the  de- 
fence of  our  own,  which  has  been  achieved  by  the  loss  oi 
so  much  blood  and  treasure,  and  matured  by  the  wisdom 
of  our  most  enlightened  citizens,  and  under  which  we 
have  enjoyed  unexampled  felicity,  this  whole  nation  is 
devoted.  We  owe  it,  therefore,  to  candour,  and  to  the 
amicable  relations  existing  between  the  United  States  and 
those  powers,  to  declare,  that  we  should  consider  any 
attempt,  on  their  part,  to  extend  their  system  to  any 
portion  of  this  hemisphere,  as  dangerous  to  our  peace 
and  safety. 

"  With  existing  colonies,  or  dependencies  of  any  Eu- 
ropean power,  we  have  not  interfered,  and  shall  not  in- 
terfere. But  with  the  governments  who  have  declared 
their  independence,  and  maintained  it,  and  whose  inde- 
pendence we  have,  on  great  consideration,  and  on  just 
principles,  acknowledged,  we  could  not  view  any  inter- 
position for  the  purpose  of  oppressing  them,  or  control- 
ling, in  any  other  manner,  their  destiny,  by  any  European 
power,  in  any  other  light  than  as  the  manifestation  of  an 
unfriendly  disposition  towards  the  United  States.  In  the 
war  between  those  new  governments  and  Spain,  we  de- 
clared our  neutrality  at  the  time  of  their  recognition,  and 
to  this  we  have  adhered,  and  shall  continue  to  adhere, 
provided  no  change  shall  occur,  which,  in  the  judgment 
of  the  competent  authority  of  this  government,  shall 
make  &  corresponding  change  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States,  indispensable  to  their  security." 

To  this  language,  so  temperate,  just,  and  independent, 
every  good  citizen  responded  amen.  His  remarks  on  the 
state  of  the  country,  in  the  same  message,  are  too  valua- 
ble to  be  omittea. 

"  If  we  compare  the  present  condition  of  our  Union, 
with  its  actual  state  at  the  close  of  our  revolution,  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  399 

history  of  the  world  furnishes  no  example  of  a  progress 
in  improvement  in  all  the  important  circumstances  which 
constitute  the  happiness  of  a  nation,  which  bears  any  re- 
semblance to  it.  At  the  first  epoch,  our  population  did 
not  exceed  three  millions.  By  the  last  census  it  amount- 
ed to  about  ten  millions;  and  what  is  more  extraordinary, 
it  is  almost  altogether  native,  for  the  emigration  from 
other  countries  has  been  inconsiderable.  At  the  first 
epoch,  half  the  territory  within  our  acknowledged  limits, 
was  uninhabited  and  a  wilderness.  Since  then,  new  ter- 
ritory has  been  acquired,  of  vast  extent,  comprising  with- 
in it  many  rivers,  particularly  the  Mississippi,  the  naviga- 
tion of  which,  to  the  ocean,  was  of  the  highest  import- 
ance to  the  original  states. 

"  Over  this  territory  our  population  has  expanded  in  eve- 
ry direction,  and  new  states  have  been  established,  almost 
equal  in  number  to  those  which  formed  the  first  bond  of 
our  union.  This  expansion  of  our  population,  and  ac- 
cession of  new  states  to  our  union,  have  had  the  happiest 
effect  on  all  its  higher  interests.  That  it  has  eminently 
augmented  our  resources,  and  added  to  our  strength  and 
respectability  as  a  power,  is  admitted  by  all.  But  it  is 
not  in  these  important  circumstances  only  that  this  happy 
effect  is  felt.  It  is  manifest  that,  by  enlarging  the  basis  of 
our  system,  and  increasing  the  number  of  states,  the  sys- 
tem itself  has  been  greatly  strengthened  in  both  its 
branches.  Consolidation  and  disunion  have  thereby  been 
rendered  equally  impracticable.  Each  government,  con- 
fiding in  its  own  strength,  has  less  to  apprehend  from  the 
other ;  and,  in  consequence,  each  enjoying  a  greater  free- 
dom of  action,  is  rendered  more  efficient  for  all  the  pui 
poses  for  which  it  was  instituted." 

The  sympathy  expressed  by  the  president  for  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  Greeks,  called  forth  a  resolution  from  Mr. 
Webster,  providing  for  the  expenses  of  an  agent  to 
Greece,  whenever  the  executive  should  deem  the  ap- 
pointment proper  and  expedient.  In  offering  the  reso- 
lution, Mr.  Webster  stated,  it  was  far  from  being  his  wish, 
in  any  manner,  to  commit  the  house,  in  this  or  any  of  the 
political  contests  of  Europe ;  but  the  President  of  the 
United  States  having,  in  his  message  to  congress,  not 


400  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

only  expressed  a  belief  that  the  Greek  nation,  in  its  pre- 
sent struggle  with  its  opposers,  had  the  good  wishes  of 
the  whole  civilized  world,  but  also  advanced  the  opinion 
that  the  Turkish  dominion  over  that  country  was  lost  for- 
ever ;  he  thought  that  if  such  were  the  fact,  it  was  im- 
portant that  congress  should  act  upon  the  subject. 

The  main  object  in  view  was  to  obtain  from  the  house 
an  expression,  responsive  to  the  sentiment  of  the  mes- 
sage, in  reference  to  the  sacrifices  and  sufferings  of  that 
heroic  people — sacrifices  and  sufferings,  which  ought  to 
excite  the  sympathy  of  every  liberal  minded  man  in  Eu- 
rope, as  well  as  in  this  country.  But  whatever  might  be 
the  case  with  other  nations,  we  certainly  ought  not  to  be 
restrained  from  expressing,  with  freedom,  what  are  our 
views  in  relation  to  the  Greek  cause,  so  far  as  maybe  done 
without  committing  ourselves  in  the  contest.  And  he  real- 
ly did  hope  that  we  should  show  to  the  world,  that  there 
is,  at  least,  one  government  which  does  entertain  a  proper 
view  of  that  barbarous  despotism,  which,  under  the  eyes 
of  Europe,  has  been  permitted,  by  a  system  of  the  foul- 
est atrocity,  to  attempt  to  crush  an  interesting  Christian 
nation. 

In  most  of  our  large  towns  and  literary  institutions, 
meetings  were  held  in  reference  to  this  subject,  and  reso- 
lutions adopted,  expressive  of  sentiments  alike  honoura- 
ble to  our  citizens  as  members  of  a  free  community,  and 
as  friends  of  humanity.  They  spoke  a  language  worthy 
of  the  cause  which  called  them  forth,  and  such  as  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  age  require.  They  are  a  proof,  too, 
of  the  existence  and  the  energy  of  that  principle  in  the 
American  people,  which  removes /them  farther  from  the 
supporters  of  legitimacy  than  the  breadth  of  the  Atlan- 
tic, and  is  a  safer  bulwark  than  its  billows. 

From  that  time  to  the  present,  large  contributions 
have  been  made  in  the  United  States,  and  forwarded  to 
the  proper  authorities  of  that  oppressed  and  ill-fated  coun- 
try. At  present,  the  armies  of  Russia  threaten  the  capital 
of  Turkey,  and  little  doubt  remains  of  the  emancipation 
of  the  Greeks. 

The  session  of  congress  closed  in  May,  in  1824 ;  the 
most  important  bills  which  passed,  being  one  to  abolish 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  401 

imprisonment  for  debt,  and  the  other  establishing  a  tariff 
of  duties  on  imports.  The  latter  of  these  occupied  the 
time  of  Congress  during  ten  weeks,  and  at  last  passed  by 
a  majority  of  five  only,  two  members  being  absent. 

On  the  16th  of  August,  the  Marquis  La  Fayette,  ac- 
companied by  his  son,  and  M.  La  Vasseur,  his  secretary, 
landed  in  New- York,  where  he  was  welcomed  in  a  man- 
ner which*  evinced  a  sense  of  national  gratitude,  never 
surpassed. 

From  New-York,  La  Fayette  passed  through  the 
country  to  Boston,  constantly  receiving  the  most  enthu- 
siastic congratulations  of  the  people.  Not  only  at  every 
place  where  he  stopped,  but  as  he  passed  along  the  road, 
thousands  came  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  him,  and  bid 
"  Welcome  La  Fayette."  Having  visited  most  of  the 
principal  to\vns  in  Massachusetts,  New-Hampshire,  Rhode 
Island,  and  Connecticut,  he  again  returned  to  New- York. 
During  this  tour,  it  is  impossible  to  convey,  in  general 
terms,  an  adequate  idea  of  the  excitement  into  which  the 
country  wras  thrown.  Committees  were  constantly  ar- 
riving from  distant  towns  at  the  places  where  he  stopped, 
to  solicit  the  honour  of  receiving  him,  and  to  know  on 
what  day,  and  at  what  hour,  his  arrival  might  be  expected. 
In  some  instances,  gentlemen  residing  at  a  distance  from 
his  route,  directed  the  news  of  his  approach  to  be  sent 
them  by  expresses.  Meantime  the  general  was  so  oblig- 
ing as  to  allow  himself  to  be  transported  with  the  utmost 
rapidity  from  place  to  place,  often  travelling  most  of  the 
night,  so  as  not  to  disappoint  the  anxious  expectations  of 
the  people.  From  New-York  the  general  went  to  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore,  Washington,  &c,  constantly  receiv- 
ing from  the  people  the  same  cordial  welcome,  and 
witnessing  the  same  demonstrations  of  joy  wherever  he 
went. 

But  the  feelings  of  the  nation  demanded  that  something 
more  should  be  done  for  General  La  Fayette,  than  could 
be  expressed  by  acclamation  alone.  His  love  of  liberty 
had  been  the  means  of  depriving  him  of  a  great  propor- 
tion of  his  fortune.  When,  during  our  revolution,  the 
country  was  so  exhausted  as  to  be  unable  to  clothe  or 
feed  her  little  army,  La  Fayette  not  only  gave  all  his  pay 

34* 


402  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

to  government,  but  advanced  money  which  never  was  re- 
funded :  so  that,  in  addition  to  the  debt  of  gratitude,  the 
nation  owed  him  for  advancements  made  during  her  ne- 
cessities. It  was  the  exercise  of  the  same  leading  princi- 
ple, (the  love  of  liberty,)  which  occasioned  the  confiscation 
of  his  estates  in  France,  when  the  Jacobin  faction  con-> 
trolled  the  kingdom. 

Under  every  consideration,  the  nation  was  bound  to 
show  La  Fayette  and  the  world,  that  in  the  prosperity  of 
his  adopted  country,  his  former  services  were  remembered 
with  too  much  gratitude  to  be  passed  over  without  some 
permanent  mark  of  national  beneficence. 

The  president  of  the  United  States,  therefore,  in  his 
message  to  congress,  at  the  opening  of  the  last  session, 
recommended,  in  appropriate  terms,  the  consideration  of 
General  La  Fayette's  eminent  services  to  the  country, 
and  requested  that  the  legislative  body  of  the  nation  would 
devise  some  means  of  making  him  at  least  a  partial  remu- 
neration. Agreeably  to  this  recommendation,  congress 
appointed  a  committee  to  deliberate  on  the  subject,  and 
on  the  20th  of  December,  "  Mr.  Hayne,  from  the  commit- 
tee appointed  on  so  much  of  the  president's  message  as 
relates  to  making  provision  for  the  services  of  General  La 
Fayette,  reported  the  following  bill : — 

"  Be  it  enacted,  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represert.ta* 
tives  of  the  U/iited  States,  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  be,  and  the  same 
is  hereby  granted  to  Major  General  La  Fayette,  in  com- 
pensation for  his  important  services  and  expenditures 
during  the  American  Revolution ;  and  that  for  this  pur- 
pose a  stock  to  that  amount  be  issued  in  his  favour, 
dated  the  4th  of  July,  1824,  bearing  an  annual  interest  of 
six  per  cent,  payable  quarter  yearly,  and  redeemable  on 
the  31st  of  December,  1834. 

"  Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  one  complete 
township  of  land  be,  and  the  same  is,  hereby  granted 
to  the  said  Major  General  La  Fayette  ;  and  that  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  be  authorized  to  cause  the  said 
township  to  be  located  on  any  of  the  public  lands  which 
remain  unsold;  and  that  patents  be  issued  to  General 
La  Fayette  for  the  same." 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  403 

On  the  21st  this  bill  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  in 
the  Senate,  and  the  following  debate  on  it,  extracted  from 
the  journals  of  congress,  will  tend  to  show  with  how 
much  reason  the  bill  was  passed  : 

Senate,  Tuesday,  December  21. 

"  The  Senate  proceeded,  as  in  committee  of  the  whole, 
to  the  consideration  of  the  bill  making  provision  for  the 
services  and  expenditures  of  General  La  Fayette. 

"  Mr.  Hayne,  (of  S.  C.)  in  reply  to  Messrs.  Macon  and 
Brown,  who  objected  to  the  bill,  remarked,  that  the  obser- 
vations made  by  the  honourable  gentlemen  rendered  it 
his  duty,  though  it  was  done  with  regret,  as  he  had  hoped 
the  bill  would  pass  without  opposition,  as  chairman  of  the 
committee,  to  submit  thb  principle  on  which  the  commit- 
tee had  proceeded  in  pi  senting  the  present  bill.  He 
trusted  that  he  should  be  ahle  to  satisfy  the  scniples  of 
the  honourable  gentlemen,  and  that  there  would  be  no 
necessity  for  recommitting  the  bill. 

"  With  regard  to  the  objections  made  by  his  friend  on 
his  right,  (Mr.  Macon,) "they  affected  the  making  any 
compensation,  under  any  circumstances  whatever,  to  in- 
dividuals, either  for  services  rendered,  or  sacrifices  made. 
He  understood,  he  had  said  it  was  immaterial  whether 
an  individual  should  have  spent  his  substance  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country — should  have  put  his  hand  in  his 
purse,  and  paid  the  expenses  of  the  war,  still  that  for  such 
services  no  compensation  could  be  made. 

"  He  could  show  that  this  was  the  fact — -that  it  was  pre- 
cisely the  case  with  regard  to  General  La  Fayette.  He 
had  expended  his  fortune  in  our  service,  and  he  should 
contend  it  was  right,  it  was  necessary — they  were  called 
on  by  duty  to  themselves,  at  least  to  refund  the  expenses 
to  which  he  had  been  subjected.  Mr.  Hayne  proceeded 
to  say,  that  he  held  documents  in  his  hand  which  it  be- 
came his  duty  to  submit  to  the  senate — documents  de- 
rived from  the  highest  authority.  The  paper  held  in  his 
hand  contained  accounts  from  the  proper  officers,  show- 
ing the  expenses  of  La  Fayette,  and  pointing  out  the 
manner  in  which  his  estate  had  been  dissipated  in  tho 
service  of  liberty.  In  the  year  1777,  he  had  an  annual  in- 


404  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

come  of  146,000  francs,  equal  to  28,700  dollars.  This 
had  been  almost  entirely  expended  in  the  services  which 
he  had  rendered  to  liberty,  in  this  and  the  other  hemi- 
sphere. During  a  period  of  six  years,  from  the  year  1777 
to  1783,  he  had  expended,  in  the  American  service, 
700,000  francs,  equal  to  140,000  dollars.  This  document, 
said  Mr.  Hayne,  is  derived  from  the  most  authentic 
sources  in  France,  and  is  come  into  my  hands  from  a  re- 
spectable member  of  this  house,  without  the  knowledge 
or  consent  of  the  general  and  his  friends. 

"  The  fact  to  which  he  called  their  attention  was,  that 
during  the  six  years  the  general  had  been  engaged  in  the 
service,  he  had  expended  140,000  dollars  of  his  fortune; 
he  was  in  a  state  of  prosperity,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of 
a  plentiful  fortune  in  his  own  country,  when  he  resolved 
to  come  to  this.  He  purchased  a  ship,  raised,  equipped, 
armed,  and  clothed  a  regiment  at  his  own  expense,  and 
when  he  landed  on  these  coasts,  he  came  freighted  with 
the  munitions  of  war,  which  he  distributed  gratuitously 
to  our  army. 

"  It  is  on  record  that  he  clothed  and  put  shoes  on  the 
feet  of  the  naked,  suffering  soldiers  of  America,  and  that 
during  six  years  he  sacrificed  140,000  dollars.  He  asked 
for  no  compensation — he  made  out  no  account — he  re- 
ceived no  pay — he  spent  his  fortune  for  this  country,  and 
not  only  gave  his  services,  but  hazarded  his  life  in  its  de- 
fence, shed  his  blood  in  its  service,  and  returned  home, 
broken  in  his  fortune.  What  did  government  do  ?  After 
the  war,  in  1794,  they  gave  him  the  full  pay  of  a  major 
general,  to  which  he  was  entitled  twelve  or  fourteen  years 
before.  If  any  American  citizen  had  done  as  much,  and 
had  brought  in  an  account  stating  he  had  expended 
140,000  dollars,  and  made  application  for  compensation, 
would  it  not  have  been  granted  ?  Indeed,  if  we  were  to 
make  out  an  account  current  of  the  expenses  and  sacri- 
fices of  the  general,  it  would  far  exceed  the  sum  now  pro- 
posed. But  he  never  rendered  a  claim ;  he  would  have 
starved  ere  he  would  have  done  it. 

"  I  have  other  documents,  said  Mr.  Hayne,  to  which  I 
shall  briefly  refer.  There  is  one  fact  which  shows  how 
alive  he  was  to  every  honourable  sentiment.  He  has 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  405 

made  sacrifices  that  can  never  be  repaid.  Congress,  in 
their  gratitude,  made  him  a  donation  of  11,000  acres  of 
land,  which,  at  the  value  of  lands  at  that  time,  was  not 
worth  more  than  11,000  dollars;  and,  by  act,  in  1804, 
they  authorized  him  to  locate  this  land  on  any  spot  in  the 
United  States  that  might  be  vacant;  and  his  agent  ac- 
cordingly located  it  in  the  neighbourhood  of  New-Orleans. 
In  1807,  congress  passed  an  act  confirming  the  title  to  the 
city  council  of  New-Orleans,  of  all  lands  within  six  hun- 
dred yards  of  its  limits. 

"  Part  of  the  land  belonging  to  General  La  Fayette  was 
included  in  this  grant,  and  on  the  fact  being  communicated 
to  him  in  France  by  his  agent,  accompanied  by  legal  ad- 
vice of  the  validity  of  his  title,  he  replied,  that  it  was  not 
for  him  to  inquire  into  the  circumstances,  but  that  he,  re- 
ceiving bounty  from  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
could  only  receive  it  as  they  chose  to  give  it,  and  directed 
his  agent  to  enter  a  relinquishment  of  the  land  in  ques- 
tion. This  land,  according  to  the  estimate  of  gentlemen 
from  Louisiana,  is  now  worth  500,000  dollars.  But  there 
is  another  circumstance  to  be  stated  :  having  located  the 
land,  he  made  a  contract  with  an  Irish  baronet  for  the 
sale  of  a  portion  of  it,  and  he  afterwards  made  it  his  bu- 
siness to  find  him  out — he  relinquished  his  own  right, 
and,  at  his  own  expense,  induced  him  to  relinquish  every 
l<»i>;al  claim  that  he  could  have  upon  the  United  States. 
This  relinquishment  was  on  file  in  the  land  office,  and 
Mr.  Hayne  submitted  the  documents  to  the  examination 
of  the  senate. 

"  These  claims  appear  certainly  in  a  very  strong,  and, 
lie  might  say,  irresistible  shape  before  the  senate.  His 
honourable  friend  on  the  right  had  said,  that  we  treat  this 
gentlemen  better  than  we  do  our  native  sons,  but  it  ap- 
peared that  they  barely  did  him  justice.  Did  the  gentle- 
man doubt  that  this  government  were  in  the  habit  of 
making  remuneration  for  sacrifices  and  services — he 
would  refer  him  to  an  act  passed  in  1790,  granting  com- 
pensation to  Frederick  William  Baron  Steuben,  for  sacri- 
fices and  services. 

"  Mr.  Hayne  proceeded  to  refer  to  many  instances  where 
the  government  had  not  only  granted  pecuniary  assist- 


406  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ance,  but  had  granted  a  whole  township  of  land  for  sacri- 
fices and  services.  He  was  not  one  of  those  who  were 
afraid  of  making  precedents — a  good  precedent  can  never 
do  evil ;  and  when  nations,  as  well  as  individuals,  gave 
way  to  the  noblest  feelings  of  our  nature,  they  best  pro- 
moted the  glory  of  the  country,  and  the  welfare  of  the 
people  ;  but  the  cause  of  La  Fayette  could  form  no  prece- 
dent— it  stood  alone. 

"  Could  this  country  be  born  again  ?  Could  it  assume  a 
second  childhood,  and  be  placed  in  circumstances  similar 
to  those  it  had  formerly  been  ?  If  this  were  possible,  if 
it  could  be  reduced  again  to  equal  distress,  be  struggling 
for  existence,  about  to  perish,  without  funds,  arms,  clo- 
thing, or  ammunition,  and  looking  around  for  help — if, 
under  such  circumstances,  a  foreign  nobleman  should 
step  forth,  and  devote  his  life  and  fortune  to  her  service, 
sacrificing  every  thing,  and  shedding  his  blood  in  her  be- 
half, and  while  the  scale  was  depressed,  throwing  himself 
into  the  balance,  and  deciding  its  fate — surely,  such  a 
man  would  be  entitled  to  the  warmest  gratitude  of  the 
country." 

After  some  further  debate,  the  bill  was  passed,  and  a 
committee  appointed  to  wait  on  La  Fayette  with  a  copy 
of  the  act.  To  an  address  of  the  committee  on  the  oc- 
casion of  presenting  the  act,  the  marquis  returned  the  fol- 
lowing answer : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of  both  Houses  of  Congress : 
The  immense  and  unexpected  gift,  which,  in  addition 
to  former  and  considerable  bounties,  it  has  pleased  con- 
gress to  confer  upon  me,  calls  for  the  warmest  acknow- 
ledgments of  an  old  American  soldier,  an  adopted  son  of 
the  United  States,  two  titles  dearer  to  my  heart  than  all 
the  treasures  in  the  world. 

However  proud  I  am  of  every  sort  of  obligation  re- 
ceived from  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  their 
representatives  in  congress,  the  large  extent  of  this  bene- 
faction might  have  created  in  my  mind  feelings  of  hesita- 
tion, not  inconsistent,  I  hope,  with  those  of  the  most  grate- 
ful reverence.  But  the  so  very  kind  resolutions  of  both 
houses,  delivered  by  you,  gentlemen,  in  terms  of  equa* 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  407 

kindness,  precludes  all  other  sentiments,  except  those  of 
lively  and  profound  gratitude,  of  which,  in  respectfully 
accepting  the  munificent  favour,  I  have  the  honour  to  beg 
you  will  be  the  organs. 

Permit  me  also,  gentlemen,  to  join  a  tender  of  my  af- 
fectionate personal  thanks  to  the  expression  of  the  highest 
respect,  with  which  I  have  the  honour  to  be  yourobedien 
servant,  LA  FAYETTE. 

At  Washington,  La  Fayette  was  received  by  both 
houses  of  Congress  with  suitable  honours.  Thence  pass- 
ing to  the  south,  he  visited  most  of  the  cities  in  that  sec- 
tion of  the  country. 

After  visiting  various  places,  in  the  autumn  of  1825,  the 
marquis  took  passage  in  the  frigate  Brandy  wine,  for  France, 
where  he  arrived  in  safety,  and  where  he  still  lives,  in  the 
enjoyment  of  a  contented  mind,  and  a  clear  conscience ; 
the  friend  of  man  and  the  hero  of  freedom. 

The  second  session  of  the  eighteenth  congress,  com- 
menced in  December,  on  which  occasion  we  find  in  the 
presidential  message  :  "  Our  relations  with  foreign  powers 
are  of  a  friendly  character,  although  certain  interesting 
differences  remain  unsettled.  Our  revenue  under  the  mild 
system  of  impost  and  tonnage,  continues  to  be  adequate 
to  all  the  purposes  of  government.  Our  agriculture, 
commerce,  manufactures,  and  navigation,  flourish.  Our 
fortifications  are  advancing,  in  the  degree  authorized  by 
existing  appropriations,  to  maturity,  and  due  progress  is 
made  in  the  augmentation  of  the  navy  to  the  limit  pre- 
scribed by  law." 

He  also  stated,  that  the  convention  of  navigation  and 
commerce  concluded  between  the  United  States  and 
France  in  1822,  still  continued  ; — that  our  commercial  in- 
tercourse with  the  British  dominions  in  Europe  and  the 
East  Indies,  resting  on  the  basis  of  reciprocity,  which  had 
been  arranged  by  a  convention,  in  1815,  was  confirmed 
and  continued  for  ten  years,  by  treaty,  in  1818;  but  that 
the  trade  with  the  British  colonies  in  the  West  Indies,  had 
not  as  yet  been  settled  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  executive; 
that  our  commerce  with  Sweden  had  been  placed  on  a 
footing  of  perfect  reciprocity,  by  treaty ;  and  with  Rus- 


408  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

sia,  the  Netherlands,  Prussia,  and  the  free  Hanseatic  ci- 
ties, the  dukedom  of  Oldenburg  and  Sardinia,  by  internal 
regulations  on  each  side,  founded  on  mutual  agreement 
between  the  respective  governments ;  and  that  the  great 
and  extraordinary  changes  which  had  happened  in  Spain 
and  Portugal,  within  the  last  two  years,  had  not  seriously 
affected  the  friendly  relations  subsisting  between  them 
and  the  United  States  ;  although  they  had  presented  ob- 
stacles to  the  adjustment  of  the  particular  subjects  of  dis- 
cussion which  have  arisen  with  each.  With  the  remain- 
ing powers  of  Europe,  with  those  on  the  coast  of  Bar- 
bary,  and  with  all  the  new  South  American  states,  our 
relations  were  moreover  stated  to  be  of  a  friendly  charac- 
ter. The  country  has  ministers  plenipotentiary  residing 
with  the  republics  of  Colombia  and  Chili,  and  have  re- 
ceived ministers  of  the  same  rank,  from  Colombia,  Guati- 
mala,  Buenos  Ayres,  and  Mexico,  and  a  charge  d'affaires 
from  the  independent  government  of  Brazil. 

From  the  view  which  he  then  took  of  our  situation,  it 
was  manifest  that  we  were  in  a  highly  prosperous  situa- 
tion, and  that  our  duty  and  happiness  would  consist  in 
handing  these  blessings  down  to  posterity  unimpaired. 

This  session  closed  constitutionally  on  the  third  of 
March,  1825.  The  most  interesting  subjects  which  oc- 
cupied its  attention  during  the  session,  were  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  Oregon  on  the  North-west  coast,  and  the  sup- 
pression of  piracy.  The  bill  respecting  the  former, 
however,  was  lost  in  the  senate ;  being  indefinitely  laid 
on  the  table  ;  while  that  respecting  piracy  passed ;  which, 
however,  does  little  more  than  to  authorize  the  building 
of  ten  additional  ships  of  war.  The  bill  authorizing  the 
occupation  of  the  Oregon,  was  passed  by  the  house  of 
representatives,  but  had  previously  been  so  amended  as 
to  provide  only  for  a  military  occupation  of  the  mouth  of 
the  river.  This  amendment  was  adopted  for  the  purpose 
of  avoiding  a  violation  of  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain, 
which  provides  that  the  boundary  line  on  that  frontier 
shall  remain  unsettled  ten  years. 

The  presidency  of  Mr.  Monroe  closed  with  the  session, 
during  which  the  country  enjoyed  a  state  of  peace  and 
uniform  prosperity.  He  retired  from  office,  enjoying 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  409 

the  respect,'  affection,  and  gratitude,  of  all  who  are  able 
duly  to  appreciate  the  blessings  of  having  a  wise  ruler. 

The  choice  of  president,  for  the  succeeding  term  of 
four  years,  not  being  settled  by  the  electoral  vote,  de- 
volved on  the  House  of  Representatives.  John  Quinry 
Adams  was  chosen,  and  took  the  oath  of  office  on  the  4th 
of  March,  and  John  C.  Calhoun  was  chosen  vice  presi- 
dent by  the  electors. 

The  address  of  Mr.  Adams,  on  his  induction  into  office, 
was  such  as  might  rationally  be  expected.  Speaking  of 
our  political  creed,  he  says,  it  "  is,  without  a  dissenting 
voice  that  can  be  heard,  that  the  will  of  the  people  is  the 
source,  and  the  happiness  of  the  people  the  end,  of  all  le- 
gitimate government  upon  earth — That  the  best  security 
for  the  beneficence,  and  the  best  guarantee  against  the 
abuse  of  power,  consists  in  the  freedom,  the  purity,  and 
the  frequency  of  popular  elections. 

"  That  the  general  government  of  the  Union,  and  the 
separate  governments  of  these  states,  are  all  sovereign- 
ties of  limited  powers ;  fellow  servants  of  the  same  mas- 
ters, uncontrolled  within  their  respective  spheres,  uncon- 
trollable by  encroachments  upon  each  other.  That  the 
firmest  security  of  peace  is  the  preparation,  during  peace, 
of  the  defences  of  war.  That  a  rigorous  economy,  and 
accountability  of  public  expenditure,  should  guard  against 
the  aggravation,  and  alleviate,  when  possible,  the  burden 
of  taxation.  That  the  military  should  be  kept  in  strict 
subordination  to  the  civil  power.  That  the  freedom  of 
the  press  and  of  religious  opinion  should  be  inviolate. 
That  the  policy  of  our  country  is  peace,  and  the  ark  of 
our  salvation,  union,  are  articles  of  faith  upon  which  we 
are  all  agreed." 

The  following  paragraphs  we  copy  entire,  as  too  valua- 
ble to  be  omitted,  even  in  a  condensed  history. 

"  In  the  compass  of  thirty  years,  since  this  great  na- 
tional covenant  was  instituted,  a  body  of  laws  enacted 
under  its  authority,  and  in  conformity  with  its  provisions, 
has  unfolded  its  powers,  and  carried  into  practical  opera- 
tion its  effective  energies.  Subordinate  departments  have 
distributed  the  executive  functions  in  their  various  rela- 
tions, to  foreign  affairs,  to  the  revenue  and  expenditures, 

35 


410  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  to  the  military  force  of  the  Union,  by  land  and  sea. 
A  co-ordinate  department  of  the  judiciary  has  expounded 
the  constitution  and  the  laws ;  settling,  in  harmonious  co- 
incidence with  the  legislative  will,  numerous  weighty 
questions  of  construction  which  the  imperfection  of  hu- 
man language  had  rendered  unavoidable. 

"  The  year  of  jubilee,  since  the  first  formation  of  our 
union,  has  just  elapsed  ;  that  of  the  declaration  of  our  in- 
dependence is  at  hand.  The  consummation  of  both  was 
effected  by  this  constitution.  Since  that  period,  a  popu- 
lation of  four  millions  has  multiplied  to  twelve.  A  terri- 
tory, bounded  by  the  Mississippi,  has  been  extended  from 
sea  to  sea.  New  states  have  been  admitted  to  the  Union, 
in  number  nearly  equal  to  those  of  the  first  confederation. 
Treaties  of  peace,  amity,  and  commerce,  have  been  con- 
cluded with  the  principal  dominions  of  the  earth.  The 
people  of  other  nations,  inhabitants  of  regions  acquired 
not  by  conquest,  but  by  compact,  have  been  united  with 
us  in  the  participation  of  our  rights  and  duties,  of  our 
burdens  and  blessings. 

"  The  forest  has  fallen  by  the  axe  of  our  woodsmen — 
the  soil  has  been  made  to  teem  by  the  tillage  of  our  far- 
mers ;  our  commerce  has  whitened  every  ocean.  The 
dominion  of  man  over  physical  nature  has  been  extend- 
ed by  the  invention  of  our  artists.  Liberty  and  law  have 
marched  hand  in  hand.  All  the  purposes  of  human  as- 
sociation have  been  accomplished  as  effectively  as  under 
any  other  government  on  the  globe,  and  at  a  cost  little  ex- 
ceeding, in  a  whole  generation,  the  expenditures  of  other 
nations  in  a  single  year. 

"  Such  is  the  unexaggerated  picture  of  our  condition, 
under  a  constitution  founded  upon  the  republican  princi- 
ple of  equal  rights.  To  admit  that  this  picture  has  its 
shades,  is  but  to  say  that  it  is  still  the  condition  of  men 
upon  earth.  From  evil,  physical,  moral,  and  political,  it 
is  not  our  claim  to  be  exempt.  We  have  suffered,  some- 
times by  the  visitation  of  Heaven,  through  disease  ;  often 
by  the  wrongs  and  injustice  of  other  nations,  even  to 
the  extremities  of  war ;  and,  lastly,  by  dissentions  among 
ourselves — dissentions,  perhaps  inseparable  from  the  en- 
joyment of  freedom,  but  which  have  more  than  once  ap- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  411 

peared  to  threaten  the  dissolution  of  the  union,  and,  with 
it,  the  overthrow  of  all  the  enjoyments  of  our  present 
lot,  and  all  our  earthly  hopes  of  the  future.  The  causes 
of  these  dissentions  have  been  various,  founded  upon 
differences  of  speculation  in  the  theory  of  republican 
government ;  upon  conflicting  views  of  policy,  in  our  re- 
lations with  foreign  nations  ;  upon  jealousies  of  partial 
and  sectional  interests,  aggravated  by  prejudices  and  pre- 
possessions, which  strangers  to  each  other  are  ever  apt 
to  entertain." 

On  the  31st  of  May,  a  treaty  of  peace,  amity,  naviga- 
tion, and  commerce,  between  the  United  States  and  Co- 
lombia, was  ratified  by  the  president.  The  first  article 
establishes  a  firm  and  inviolable  peace,  and  perpetual 
friendship.  By  the  second,  no  partiality  was  to  be  shown 
to  any  other  nation  to  which  each  of  the  contracting  par- 
ties had  not  an  equal  right.  By  the  sixth  article,  mer- 
chant vessels,  and  ships  of  war,  were  to  be  protected  in 
the  bays  and  harbours  of  both  parties,  either  in  stress  of 
weather,  or  to  shield  them  from  the  pursuit  of  pirates,  or 
other  enemies.  The  seventh  grants  a  return  of  ships 
and  merchandise  which  may  be  taken  in  their  respective 
jurisdictions.  By  the  tenth,  both  the  contracting  parties 
engage,  formally,  to  give  their  special  protection  to  the 
persons  and  property  of  the  other,  and  to  leave  open  and 
free  to  them  the  tribunals  of  justice  for  their  judicial  re- 
course, on  the  same  terms  as  are  usual  with  native  citi- 
zens of  either  party.  By  the  eleventh,  liberty  of  con- 
science is  mutually  guaranteed.  By  the  fourteenth, 
liberty  of  commerce  and  navigation,  except  contraband 
of  war,  in  times  which  would  endanger  the  safety  of 
either  contracting  party,  is  freely  granted.  The  treaty 
was  to  remain  in  force  twelve  years  after  the  exchange  of 
ratifications. 

The  7th  of  September  was  the  day  appointed  for  the 
departure  of  the  nation's  guest,  General  La  Fayette,  from 
Washington.  On  Mr.  Adams  devolved  the  task  of  bid- 
ding him  farewell,  in  the  name  of  the  nation  to  whom  he 
had  been  a  constant  friend,  and  a  noble  benefactor.  How 
well,  and  with  what  dignity  and  feeling,  he  executed  this 
task,  we  need  not  attempt  to  describe,  and  we  regret  that 


412  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

our  plan  does  not  permit  us  to  copy  the  whole  address. 
We  can  copy  but  a  brief  sketch,  which  will  be  found  in 
the  following  selected  paragraphs. 

"  When  the  contest  of  freedom  to  which  you  had  re- 
paired as  a  voluntary  champion,  had  closed,  by  the  com- 
plete triumph  of  her  cause  in  this  country  of  your  adop- 
tion, you  returned  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  the  philanthropist 
and  patriot  in  the  land  of.  your  nativity.  There,  in  a 
consistent  and  undeviatirig  career  of  forty  years,  you 
have  maintained,  through  every  vicissitude  of  alternate 
success  and  disappointment,  the  same  glorious  cause  to 
which  the  first  years  of  your  active  life  had  been  de- 
voted— the  improvement  of  the  moral  and  political  con- 
dition of  man. 

"  Through  that  long  succession  of  time,  the  people  of 
the  United  States,  for  whom,  and  with  whom,  you  had 
fought  the  battles  of  liberty,  have  been  living  in  full  pos- 
session of  its  fruits ;  one  of  the  happiest  among  the 
family  of  nations.  Spreading  in  population,  enlarging  in 
territory,  acting  and  suffering  according  to  the  condition 
of  their  nature,  and  laying  the  foundations  of  the  great- 
est, and,  we  humbly  hope,  the  most  beneficent  power  that 
ever  regulated  the  concerns  of  man  upon  earth. 

"  In  that  lapse  of  forty  years,  the  generation  of  men 
with  whom  you  co-operated  in  the  conflict  of  arms,  has 
nearly  passed  away.  Of  the  general  officers  of  the  Ame- 
rican army  in  that  war,  you  alone  survive.  Of  the  sages 
who  guided  our  councils ;  of  the  warriors  who  met  the 
foe  in  the  field,  or  upon  the  waves,  with  the  exception  ol 
a  few,  to  whom  unusual  length  of  days  has  been  allotted 
by  heaven,  all  now  sleep  with  their  fathers.  A  succeed- 
ing, and  even  a  third  generation,  have  arisen  to  take  their 
places ;  and  their  children's  children,  while  rising  up  to 
call  them  blessed,  have  been  taught  by  them,  as  well  as 
admonished  by  their  own  constant  enjoyment  of  freedom, 
to  include,  in  every  benison  upon  their  fathers,  the  name 
of  him  who  came  from  afar,  with  them,  and  in  their  cause, 
to  conquer  or  to  fall. 

"  You  are  now  about  to  return  to  the  country  of  your 
birth,  of  your  ancestors,  of  your  posterity.  The  execu- 
tive government  of  the  union,  stimulated  by  the  same 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  413 

feeling  which  had  prompted  the  congress  to  the  designa- 
tion of  a  national  ship  for  your  accommodation  in  coming 
hither,  has  destined  the  first  service  of  a  frigate,  recently 
launched  at  this  metropolis*  to  the  less  welcome,  but 
equally  distinguished  trust  of  conveying  you  home.  The 
name  of  the  ship  has  added  one  more  memorial  to  distant 
regions  and  to  future  ages,  of  a  stream  already  memora- 
ble, at  once  in  the  story  of  your  sufferings  and  of  our  in 
dependence. 

"  The  ship  is  now  prepared  for  your  reception,  and 
equipped  for  sea.  From  the  moment  of  her  departure, 
the  prayers  of  millions  will  ascend  to  heaven  that  her  pas- 
sage may  be  prosperous ;  and  your  return  to  the  bosom 
of  your  family  as  propitious  to  your  happiness,  as  your 
visit  to  this  scene  of  your  youthful  glory  has  been  to  that 
of  the  American  people. 

"  Go,  then,  our  beloved  friend — return  to  the  land  of 
brilliant  genius,  of  generous  sentiment,  of  heroic  valour  ; 
to  that  beautiful  France,  the  nursing  mother  of  the  twelfth 
Louis,  and  the  fourth  Henry  ;  to  the  native  soil  of  Bayard 
and  Coligni,  of  Turenne  and  Catinat,  of  Fenelon  and 
D'Aguesseau.  In  that  illustrious  catalogue  of  names 
which  she  claims  as  of  her  children,  and  with  honest 
pride  holds  up  to  the  admiration  of  other  nations,  the 
name  of  La  Fayette  has  already  for  centuries  been  en- 
rolled. And  it  shall  henceforth  burnish  into  brighter 
fame ;  for  if,  in  after  days,  a  Frenchman  shall  be  called 
to  indicate  the  character  of  his  nation  by  that  of  one  indi- 
vidual, during  the  age  in  which  we  live,  the  blood  of  lofty 
patriotism  shall  mantle  in  his  cheek,  the  fire  of  conscious 
virtue  shall  sparkle  in  his  eye,  and  he  shall  pronounce 
the  name  of  La  Fayette.  Yet  we,  too,  and  our  children, 
in  life  and  after  death,  shall  claim  you  for  our  own.  You 
are  ours  by  that  more  than  patriotic  self-devotion  with 
which  you  flew  to  the  aid  of  our  fathers  at  the  crisis  of 
their  fate.  Ours  by  that  long  series  of  years  in  which 
you  have  cherished  us  in  your  regard.  Ours  by  that  un- 
shaken sentiment  of  gratitude  for  your  services  which 
is  a  jarecious  portion  of  our  inheritance.  Ours  by  that 
tie  of  love  stronger  than  death,  which  has  linked  your 
name,  for  the  endless  ages  of  time,  with  the  name  of 
Washington."  35* 


414  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

To  this  the  veteran  general  replied ;  and,  after  men- 
tioning his  obligations  to  the  American  government  and 
people  for  their  munificence  and  kind  reception,  he  add- 
ed, "  Yet,  gratification  still  higher  awaited  me ;  in  the 
wonders  of  creation  and  improvement  that  have  met  my 
enchanted  eye,  in  the  unparalleled  and  self- felt  happiness 
of  the  people,  in  their  rapid  prosperity  and  insured  secu- 
rity, public  and  private,  in  a  practice  of  good  order,  the 
appendage  of  true  freedom,  and  a  national  good  sense,  the 
final  arbiter  of  all  difficulties,  I  have  had  proudly  to  re- 
cognize a  result  of  the  republican  principles  for  which  we 
have  fought,  and  a  glorious  demonstration  to  the  most 
timid  and  prejudiced  minds,  of  the  superiority,  over  de- 
grading aristocracy  or  despotism,  of  popular  institutions 
founded  on  the  plain  rights  of  man,  and  where  the  local 
rights  of  every  section  are  preserved  under  a  constitu- 
tional bond  of  union.  The  cherishing  of  that  union  be- 
tween the  states,  as  it  has  been  the  farewell  entreaty  of 
our  great  paternal  Washington,  and  will  ever  have  the 
dying  prayer  of  every  American  patriot,  so  it  has  become 
the  sacred  pledge  of  the  emancipation  of  the  world,  an 
object  in  which  I  am  happy  to  observe  that  the  American 
people,  while  they  give  the  animating  example  of  success- 
ful free  institutions,  in  return  for  an  evil  entailed  upon 
them  by  Europe,  and  of  which  a  liberal  and  enlightened 
sense  is  every  where  more  and  more  generally  felt,  show 
themselves  every  day  more  anxiously  interested. 

"  God  bless  you,  sir,  and  all  who  surround  us.  God 
bless  the  American  people,  each  of  their  states,  and  the 
federal  government.  Accept  this  patriotic  farewell  of  an 
overflowing  heart ;  such  will  be  its  last  throb  when  it 
ceases  to  beat." 

As  the  last  sentence  was  pronounced,  the  general  ad- 
vancing, while  the  tears  poured  over  his  venerable  cheeks, 
again  took  the  president  in  his  arms ;  he  retired  a  few 
paces,  but,  overcome  by  his  feelings,  again  returned,  and 
uttering,  in  broken  accents,  "  God  bless  you  !"  fell  once 
more  on  the  neck  of  Mr.  Adams.  It  was  a  scene  at  once 
solemn  and  moving,  as  the  sighs  and  stealing  tears  of 
many,  who  witnessed  it,  bore  testimony.  Having  reco- 
vered his  self-possession,  the  general  stretched  out  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  416 

hands,  and  was,  in  a  moment,  surrounded  by  the  greeting 
of  the  whole  assembly,  who  pressed  upon  him,  each  eager 
to  seize,  perhaps  for  the  last  time,  that  beloved  hand 
which  was  opened  so  freely  for  our  aid,  when  aid  was  so 
precious,  and  which  grasped,  with  firm  and  undeviating 
hold,  the  steel  which  so  bravely  helped  to  achieve  our 
deliverance. 

The  general  was  attended  to  the  Potomac,  by  a  large 
military  escort,  and  thousands  of  citizens.  The  Mount 
Vernon  steam  boat  waited  to  convey  him  on  board  thea 
Brandywine.  When  the  mansion,  the  groves,  and  the 
iomb  of  Mount  Vernon,  opened  to  view,  the  progress  of 
the  little  fleet  was  arrested — it  remained  motionless  on  the 
broad  bosom  of  Potomac's  wave — that  the  last  of  the  ge- 
nerals might  pay  his  pious  homage  and  filial  duty  to  the 
tomb  of  the  paternal  chief. 

La  Fayette  arose — the  wonders  which  he  had  performed 
for  a  man  of  his  age,  in  successfully  accomplishing  la- 
bours enough  to  have  tested  his  meridian  vigour,  whose 
animation  rather  resembles  the  spring  than  the  winter  of 
life,  now  seemed  unequal  to  the  task  he  was  about  to  per- 
form :  To  take  a  last  look  at  the  grave  of  Washington  ! 
He  advanced  to  the  effort — a  silence  the  most  impressive 
reigned  around,  till  the  strains  of  sweet  and  plaintive  mu- 
sic completed  the  grandeur  and  sacred  solemnity  of  the 
scene.  All  hearts  beat  in  unison  with  the  throbbings  of 
the  veteran's  bosom  as  he  looked,  and  that  for  the  last 
time,  on  the  sepulchre  which  contains  the  ashes  of  the 
first  of  men.  He  spoke  not,  but  appeared  absorbed  in 
the  mighty  recollections  which  the  place  and  the  occasion 
inspired.  Yet  a  voice  seemed  borne  on  the  air.  It  ap- 
peared to  say  to  the  manes  of  the  illustrious  dead,  "WASH- 
INGTON, thou  friend  and  father  of  my  youth,  under  whose 
heroic  banner  I  first  gained  renown  in  the  fields  of  fame, 
when  combatting  for  the  rights  and  liberties  of  man — in 
whose  bosom  I  was  cherished  in  the  earliest,  the  happiest 
days  of  life — whose  affections  descended  with  me  from 
the  palace  to  the  dungeon — whose  arms  were  opened  to 
receive  my  child,  when  forlorn  and  a  wanderer  from  his 
native  land,  he  sought  in  thee  a  friend  and  found  a  father 
— most  truly  great  and  glorious  of  men,  while  such  an 


416  UNIVERSAL  in.STGRY  OF 

humble  mound  alone  contains  thy  ashes,  thy  monument 
is  based  on  a  hemisphere,  and  thy  fame  will  cenotaph  thy 
memory  in  ages  yet  unborn.  Accept  the  last  duty  which 
filial  homage  pays  to  the  tomb  of  Washington  in  the  tear 
of  La  Fayette." 

We  make  no  apology  for  the  insertion  of  these  interest- 
ing particulars.  But  we  regret  sincerely  that  the  whole 
of  the  address  and  reply  cannot  find  room,  and  if  our 
readers  have  feeling,  they  will  regret  it  too. 

The  first  session  of  the  nineteenth  congress  opened  at 
Washington  in  December,  1825.  The  message  of  the 
Executive,  after  adverting  to  the  state  of  peace  which 
had  for  several  years  blessed  the  world,  says — During  the 
same  period,  our  intercourse  with  all  those  nations  has 
been  pacific  and  friendly — it  so  continues.  Since  the 
close  of  your  last  session,  no  material  variation  has  oc- 
curred in  our  relations  with  any  one  of  them.  In  the 
commercial  and  navigation  system  of  Great  Britain,  im- 
portant changes  of  municipal  regulation  have  recently 
been  sanctioned  by  acts  of  parliament,  the  effect  of  which, 
upon  the  interests  of  other  nations,  and  particularly  upon 
ours,  has  not  yet  been  fully  developed.  In  the  recent  re- 
newal of  the  diplomatic  missions  on  both  sides,  between 
the  two  governments,  assurances  have  been  given  and 
received,  of  the  continuance  and  increase  of  that  mutual 
confidence  and  cordiality  by  which  the  adjustment  of 
many  points  of  difference  had  already  been  effected,  and 
which  affords  the  surest  pledge  for  the  ultimate  satisfactory 
adjustment  of  those  which  still  remain  open,  or  may  here- 
after arise. 

He  then  notices  the  commission  for  settling  the  seventh 
article  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  and  that  respecting  the  in- 
demnity for  slaves  taken  off  by  the  British  during  the  late 
war,  as  in  a  train  of  amicable  adjustment.  He  also  ad- 
verts to  the  importance  of  establishing  a  national  system 
of  bankruptcy,  and  of  improvements  in  the  militia  sys- 
tem. In  noticing  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  nation, 
the  message  says — Among  the  unequivocal  indications  of 
our  national  prosperity,  is  the  flourishing  state  of  our 
finances.  The  revenues  of  the  present  year,  from  all 
their  principal  sources,  will  exceed  the  anticipations  of 
the  last. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  417 

The  balance  in  the  treasury,  on  the  first  of  January 
last,  was  a  little  short  of  two  millions  of  dollars,  exclu- 
sive of  two  millions  and  a  half,  being  the  moiety  of  the 
loan  of  five  millions,  authorized  by  the  act  of  26th  May, 
1824.  The  receipts  into  the  treasury,  from  the  1st  of 
January  to  the  30th  of  September,  exclusive  of  the  other 
moiety  of  the  same  loans?  are  estimated  at  sixteen  mil- 
lions five  hundred  thousand  dollars ;  and  it  is  expected 
that  those  of  the  current  quarter  will  exceed  five  millions 
of  dollars,  forming  an  aggregate  of  receipts  of  nearly 
twenty-two  millions,  independent  of  the  loan.  The  ex- 
penditures of  the  year  will  not  exceed  that  sum  more  than 
two  millions.  By  those  expenditures,  nearly  eight  mil- 
lions of  the  principal  of  the  public  debt  have  been  dis- 
charged. 

More  than  a  million  and  a  half  has  been  devoted  to  the 
debt  of  gratitude  to  the  warriors  of  the  revolution ;  a 
nearly  equal  sum  to  the  construction  of  fortifications, 
and  the  acquisition  of  ordnance,  and  other  permanent 
preparatives  of  national  defence;  half  a  million  to  the 
gradual  increase  of  the  navy ;  an  equal  sum  for  purchases 
of  territory  from  the  Indians,  and  payment  of  annuities 
to  them  :  and  upwards  of  a  million  for  objects  of  internal 
improvement,  authorized  by  special  acts  of  the  last  con- 
gress. If  we  add  to  these  four  millions  of  dollars  for 
payment  of  interest  upon  the  public  debt,  there  remains 
a  sum  of  about  seven  millions,  which  has  defrayed  the 
whole  expense  of  the  administration  of  government,  in 
its  legislative,  executive,  and  judiciary  departments,  inclu- 
ding the  support  of  the  military  and  naval  establishments, 
and  all  the  occasional  contingencies  of  a  government  co- 
extensive with  the  union. 

The  amount  of  duties  secured  on  merchandise  import- 
ed, from  the  commencement  of  the  year,  is  about  twenty- 
five  millions  and  a  half;  and  that  which  will  accrue,  du- 
ring the  current  quarter,  is  estimated  at  five  millions  and 
a  half;  from  these  thirty-one  millions,  deducting  the  draw- 
backs, estimated  at  less  than  seven  millions,  a  sum  ex- 
ceeding twenty-four  millions  will  constitute  the  revenue 
of  the  year,  and  will  exceed  the  whole  expenditures  of 
the  year.  The  entire  amount  of  public  debt  remaining 


418  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

due  on  the  1st  of  January  next,  will  be  short  of  eighty- 
one  millions  of  dollars. 

Speaking  of  our  situation  as  regards  the  aborigines,  he 
thus  speaks : — Our  relations  with  the  numerous  tribes  of 
aboriginal  natives  of  this  country,  scattered  over  its  ex- 
tensive surface,  and  so  dependent,  even  for  their  exist- 
ence, upon  our  power,  have  been,  during  the  present  year, 
highly  interesting.  An  act  of  congress,  of  25th  May, 
1824,  made  an  appropriation  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
making  treaties  of  trade  and  friendship  with  the  Indian 
tribes  beyond  the  Mississippi.  An  act  of  3d  March,  1825, 
authorized  treaties  to  be  made  with  the  Indians,  for  their 
consent  to  the  making  of  a  road  from  the  frontiers  of 
Missouri  to  that  of  New-Mexico. 

And  another  act  of  the  same  date,  provided  for  defray- 
ing the  expenses  of  holding  treaties  with  the  Sioux,  Chip- 
pewas,  Menomenees,  Sauks,  Foxes,  &c.  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  boundaries  and  promoting  peace  between 
said  tribes.  The  first  and  the  last  objects  of  these  acts 
have  been  accomplished,  and  the  second  is  yet  in  a  pro- 
cess of  execution.  The  treaties  which,  since  the  last  ses- 
sion of  congress,  have  been  concluded  with  the  several 
tribes,  will  be  laid  before  the  senate  for  their  considera- 
tion, conformably  to  the  constitution.  They  comprise 
large  and  valuable  acquisitions  of  territory;  and  they  se- 
cure an  adjustment  of  boundaries,  and  give  pledges  of 
permanent  peace  between  several  tribes  which  had  been 
long  waging  bloody  wars  against  each  other. 

On  the  12th  of  February  last,  a  treaty  was  signed  at 
the  Indian  Springs,  between  commissioners  appointed  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  and  certain  chiefs  and  in- 
dividuals of  the  Creek  nation  of  Indians,  which  was  re- 
ceived at  the  seat  of  government  only  a  few  days  before 
the  close  of  the  last  session  of  congress,  and  of  the  late 
administration.  The  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate 
was  given  to  it,  on  the  3d  of  March,  too  late  for  it  to  re- 
ceive the  ratification  of  the  then  President  of  the  United 
States;  it  was  ratified  on  the  7th  of  March,  under  the  un- 
suspecting impression  that  it  had  been  negotiated  in  good 
faith,  and  in  the  confidence  inspired  by  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  senate.  The  subsequent  transactions  in  rela- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  419 

tion  to  this  treaty,  will  form  the  subject  of  a  separate 
message. 

But  our  circumscribed  limits  prevent  us  from  touching, 
with  any  thing  like  justice,  on  this  able  state  paper.  We 
can  only  say,  that  nothing  seems  to  have  escaped  his  ca- 
pacious mind,  of  very  general  and  national  importance. 

By  the  report  of  the  treasurer  this  session,  it  appears 
he  had  a  balance  of  more  than  five  millions  in  his  hands. 
During  this  session  a  question  was  agitated  relating  to  the 
holding  of  any  office  under  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  by  a  senator  or  representative  to  congress.  Mr. 
Benton,  from  the  selected  committee,  reported — 

That,  having  had  recourse  to  the  history  of  the  times, 
in  which  the  constitution  was  formed,  the  committee  find, 
that  the  proposition  now  referred  to  them  had  engaged 
the  deliberations  of  the  federal  convention  which  framed 
the  constitution,  and  of  several  of  the  state  conventions 
which  ratified  it. 

In  an  early  stage  of  the  session  of  the  federal  conven- 
tion, it  was  resolved  as  follows  : 

"'Art.  6.  sec.  9.  The  members  of  each  house  (of  con- 
gress) shall  be  ineligible  to,  and  incapable  of  holding  any 
office  under  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  during  the 
time  for  which  they  shall  respectively  be  elected  ;  and  the 
members  of  the  senate  shall  be  ineligible  to,  and  incapa- 
ble of,  holding  any  such  office  for  one  year  afterwards." 
(Journal  of  the  Federal  Convention,  page  219.) 

It  further  appears  from  the  journal,  that  this  clause  in 
the  first  draft  of  the  constitution,  was  adopted  with  great 
unanimity,  and  that  afterwards,  in  the  concluding  days  of 
the  session,  it  was  altered,  and  its  intention  defeated,  by  a 
majority  of  a  single  vote,  in  the  absence  of  one  of  the 
states  by  which  it  had  been  supported. 

Following  the  constitution  into  the  state  conventions 
which  ratified  it,  the  committee  find,  that,  by  the  New- 
York  convention,  it  was  recommended,  as  follows  : 

"  That  no  senator  or  representative  shall,  during  the 
time  for  which  he  was  elected,  be  appointed  to  any  office 
under  the  authority  of  the  United  States." 

By  the  Virginia  convention,  as  follows  : 

"  That  the  members  of  the  senate  and  house  of  repre- 


420  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

sentatives  shall  be  ineligible  to,  and  incapable  of,  hold- 
ing any  civil  office  under  the  authority  of  the  United 
States,  during  the  term  for  which  they  shall  respectively 
be  elected." 

By  the  North  Carolina  convention  the  same  amendment 
was  recommended,  in  the  same  words. 

In  the  first  session  of  the  first  congress,  which  was  held 
under  the  constitution,  a  member  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives submitted  a  similar  proposition  of  amendment ; 
and,  in  the  third  session  of  the  eleventh  congress,  James 
Madison  being  president,  a  like  proposition  was  again  sub- 
mitted, and  being  referred  to  a  committee  of  the  house, 
was  reported  by  them  in  the  following  words  : 

"  No  senator  or  representative  shall  be  appointed  to 
any  civil  office,  place,  or  emolument,  under  the  authority 
of  the  United  States,  until  the  expiration  of  the  presiden- 
tial term  in  which  such  person  shall  have  served  as  a  se- 
nator or  representative." 

Upon  the  question  to  adopt  this  resolution,  the  vote 
stood  71  yeas,  40  nays,  wanting  but  three  votes  of  the 
constitutional  number  for  the  referring  it  to  the  decision 
of  the  states. 

Having  thus  shown,  by  a  reference  to  the  venerable 
evidence  of  our  early  history,  that  the  principle  of  the 
amendment  now  under  consideration,  has  had  the  support 
and  approbation  of  the  first  friends  of  the  constitution, 
the  committee  will  now  declare  their  own  opinion  iii 
favour  of  its  correctness,  and  express  its  belief  that  the 
ruling  principle  in  the  organization  of  the  federal  govern- 
ment demands  its  adoption. 

That  ruling  principle  demands  that  the  three  great 
branches  of  the  federal  government,  the  executive,  legis- 
lative and  judiciary,  should  be  separate  and  distinct  from 
each  other,  not  only  in  contemplation  of  law,  but  in  point 
of  fact ;  and,  for  this  end,  that  each  should  not  only  have 
its  independent  organization,  but  that  the  individuals  ad- 
ministering each,  should  be  wholly  free  from  the  control 
and  influence  of  the  individuals  who  administered  the 
others. 

To  secure  this  independence  on  the  part  of  the  presi- 
dent, and  to  prevent  the  executive  from  starving  him  into 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  421 

a  compliance  with  their  will,  by  withholding  his  necessa- 
ry support,  or  seducing  him  into  an  acquiescence  in  their 
views,  by  tempting  his  avarice  with  an  augmented  salary, 
(Fed.  No.  77.)  it  is  provided  in  the  constitution,  that  he 
shall  receive  a  fixed  compensation  for  his  services,  which 
shall  neither  be  increased  nor  diminished  during  the  term 
for  which  he  was  elected. 

To  secure  the  independence  of  the  legislative  depart- 
ment, and  to  prevent  the  executive  from  influencing  its 
deliberations,  by  retaining  a  set  of  dependants  in  the  se- 
nate and  house  of  representatives,  always  ready,  like  the 
placemen  in  the  British  parliament,  to  support  the  mea- 
sures of  administration,  it  was  provided,  in  the  same  con- 
stitution, that  persons  holding  offices  under  the  authority 
of  the  United  States,  should  be  wholly  excluded  from  the 
floor  of  congress. 

The  committee  believe  that  this  provision  for  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives, 
though  wise  and  proper  as  far  as  it  goes,  does  not  go  far 
enough  to  accomplish  the  object  it  had  in  view.  They 
admit  that  the  presence  of  office  holders  in  the  legislative 
department,  would  be  the  bane  of  honest  and  independent 
legislation ;  and  they  believe  that  the  presence  of  office 
hunters  would  be  equally  fatal.  The  danger  to  be  appre- 
hended from  each,  is,  in  effect,  the  same.  The  office 
holder  would  support  the  measures  of  administration,  for 
the  purpose  of  saving  the  office  which  he  had  in  posses- 
sion ;  the  office  hunter  would  support  the  same  measures 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  office  which  he  had  in  ex- 
pectation. 

By  either  party,  the  interest  of  the  country  would  be 
sacrificed  to  the  views  of  the  executive ;  and  the  appro- 
priate means  for  preventing  this  mischief,  was  first  to  ex- 
clude office  holders  from  seats  in  congress,  and  this  the 
constitution  has  done  ;  and,  secondly,  to  prevent'senators 
and  representatives  from  taking  appointments  from  the 
president,  under  whose  administration  they  had  served  ; 
and  this  it  has  omitted  to  do.  The  omission  was  too  ma- 
terial to  escape  the  observation  of  those  who  were  not 
blind  to  the  defects  of  the  constitution ;  and  their  ani- 
madversions were  too  loud  and  vehement  to  pass  unno- 

36 


422  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ticed  by  the  great  advocates  for  the  ratification  of  that 
instrument.  The  authors  of  the  Federalist,  in  their  No. 
55.  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  meet  the  objection  which 
grew  out  of  this  omission.  But  even  these  great  men, 
with  their  superior  abilities,  and  ardent  zeal  in  the  best  of 
causes,  could  do  no  more  than  to  diminish  the  quantum 
of  a  danger  which  could  not  be  denied  to  exist,  and  to 
cover,  with  a  brilliant  declamation,  a  part  of  their  be- 
loved constitution  which  could  not  be  defended.  They 
said : 

"  Sometimes  we  are  told,  that  this  fund  of  corruption, 
(executive  appointments,)  is  to  be  exhausted  by  the  Presi- 
dent in  subduing  the  virtue  of  the  senate.  Now,  the  fide- 
lity of  the  other  house  is  to  be  the  victim.  The  impro- 
bability of  such  a  mercenary  and  perfidious  combination 
of  the  several  members  of  the  government,  standing  on 
as  different  foundations  as  its  republican  principles  will 
well  admit,  and  at  the  same  time  accountable  to  the  so- 
ciety over  which  they  are  placed,  ought  alone  to  quiet 
this  apprehension.  But,  fortunately,  the  constitution  has 
provided  a  still  further  safeguard.  The  members  of  the 
congress  are  rendered  ineligible  to  any  civil  offices  that 
may  be  created,  or  of  which  the  emoluments  may  be  in- 
creased, during  the  term  of  their  election.  No  offices, 
therefore,  can  be  dealt  out  to  the  existing  members,  but 
such  as  may  become  vacant  by  ordinary  casualties ;  and 
to  suppose  that  these  would  be  sufficient  to  purchase  the 
guardians  of  the  people,  selected  by  the  people  them- 
selves, is  to  renounce  every  rule  by  which  events  ought 
to  be  calculated,  and  to  substitute  an  indiscriminate  and 
unbounded  jealousy,  with  which  all  reasoning  must  be 
vain." 

They  doubted  the  validity  of  these  arguments,  and  con- 
cluded the  report  as  follows :  Considering  all  which,  the 
committee  have  come  to  the  unanimous  resolution  to  sub- 
mit to  the  senate  a  proposition  of  amendment  to  the  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  embracing  the  principle  of 
this  report. 

Resolved,  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  congress  assembled, 
two  thirds  of  both  houses  concurring,  that  the  follow- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  423 

ing  amendment  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States 
be  proposed  to  the  legislatures  of  the  several  states ; 
which,  when  ratified  by  three  fourths  of  said  legislatures, 
shall  be  valid,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  part  of  said 
constitution : 

No  senator  or  representative  shall  be  appointed  to  any 
civil  office,  place  or  emolument,  under  the  authority  of  the 
United  States,  until  the  expiration  of  the  presidential  term 
in  which  such  person  shall  have  served  as  a  senator  or  a 
representative. 

During  the  session,  and  on  the  fourth  of  July,  just  half 
a  century  from  the  time  when  Adams  and  Jefferson  signed 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  they  both  departed  this 
life,  within  a  few  hours  of  each  other.  They  had  both 
been  presidents  of  the  United  States,  and  both  vice  presi- 
dents. This  is  certainly  an  extraordinary  coincidence, 
and  worthy  to  be  perpetuated  in  the  archives  of  the  na- 
tion. Nor  is  it  a  little  remarkable,  that  on  this  day, 
after  its  observance  by  the  national  legislature,  certain 
members  of  congress  addressed  the  legislature  on  the  pe- 
cuniary embarrassments  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  with  a  view  to 
his  relief.  The  following  extracts,  we  believe,  will  be  ac- 
ceptable. 

If  I  am  asked  why  Jefferson  is  singled  out  amid  his 
compatriots — my  answer  is,  he  stands  pre-eminent  alike 
for  his  services  and  his  misfortunes.  God  forbid  that  I 
should  diminish  the  just  claims  of  that  illustrious  band, 
who,  guided  by  the  polarity  of  their  superior  genius,  and 
by  a  courage  that  was  above  circumstances,  to  whom  the 
blessing  of  Providence  became  a  pillar  of  light — by 
which  we  were  conducted  through  the  wilderness  of  the 
land  of  promise.  But  as  one  star  differeth  from  another 
star  in  glory,  so  also  is  the  lot  of  man.  It  was  his  good 
fortune  to  occupy  the  front  rank  among  the  illustrious. 
He  is  one  of  three  survivors,  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  His  associates  are  comfortable,  and 
need  no  aid. 

If  it  be  inquired  how  it  has  happened  that  he  has  be- 
come impoverished  1  I  answer,  the  delicacy  of  the  subject 
forbids  the  inquiry.  I  may  ask,  however,  what  public 
institution  is  there  in  the  United  States  that  has  not  pro- 


424  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

fited  of  his  bounty  ?  What  son  or  daughter  of  affliction 
who  has  asked  for  aid,  that  has  not  received  his  charity  ? 
What  nation,  tongue,  or  kindred,  that  has  not  shared  his 
hospitality?  His  fame  had  gone  abroad  in  the  earth. 
He  was  justly  esteemed  a  distinguished  benefactor  of  man- 
kind. He  was  resorted  to  as  an  oracle,  that  they  might 
hear  with  their  own  ears,  from  his  own  lips,  the  sublime 
and  the  eternal  truths  of  religious  liberty.  His  doors 
were  open  to  all.  His  responses  were  withheld  from 
none.  The  sequel  was  inevitable — a  loss  of  his  pro- 
perty. He  disinterestedly  sacrificed  his  independence 
on  the  altar  of  all  the  virtues.  The  character  of  his  coun- 
try was  ennobled  by  the  sacrifice.  It  will  be  still  further 
ennobled  by  its  being  replaced  by  the  generosity  of  his 
countrymen. 

The  second  session  of  the  nineteenth  congress  com- 
menced on  the  fourth  day  of  December,  1826.  The 
president's  message,  after  noticing  the  unfinished  and  un- 
touched subjects  of  his  former  message,  notices  the  de- 
cease of  Alexander  of  Russia,  our  commerce  with  France, 
and  a  ratified  treaty  with  Denmark,  says  : — "  With  Prus- 
sia, Spain,  Portugal,  and  in  general  all  the  European 
powers,  between  whom  and  the  United  States,  relations 
of  friendly  intercourse  have  existed,  their  condition  has 
not  materially  varied  since  the  last  session  of  congress.  I 
regret  not  to  be  able  to  say  the  same  of  our  commercial 
intercourse  with  the  colonial  possessions  of  Great  Britain 
in  America. 

Negotiations  of  the  highest  importance  to  our  common 
interests  have  been  for  several  years  in  discussion  between 
the  two  governments,  and  on  the  part  of  the  United  States 
have  been  invariably  pursued  in  the  spirit  of  candour  and 
conciliation.  Interests  of  great  magnitude  and  delicacy 
have  been  adjusted  by  the  conventions  of  1815  and  1818, 
while  that  of  1822,  mediated  by  the  late  Emperor  Alex- 
ander, had  promised  a  satisfactory  compromise  of  claims 
which  the  government  of  the  United  States,  in  justice  to 
the  rights  of  a  numerous  class  of  their  citizens,  was  bound 
to  sustain.  But,  with  regard  to  the  commercial  inter- 
course between  the  United  States  and  the  British  colonies 
in  America,  it  has  been  hitherto  found  impracticable  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  425 

bring  the  parties  to  an  understanding  satisfactory  to  both. 
The  relative  geographical  position,  and  the  respective 
products  of  nature  cultivated  by  human  industry,  had 
constituted  the  elements  of  a  commercial  intercourse  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  British  America,  insular  and 
continental,  important  to  the  inhabitants  of  both  coun- 
tries. 

But  it  had  been  interdicted  by  Great  Britain  upon  a 
principle  heretofore  practised  by  the  colonizing  nations  of 
Europe,  of  holding  the  trade  of  their  colonies*  each  in 
exclusive  monopoly  to  herself.  After  the  termination  of 
the  late  war*  this  interdiction  had  been  revived,  and  the 
British  government  declined  including  this  portion  of  our 
intercourse  with  her  possessions,  in  the  negotiation  of  the 
convention  of  1815.  The  trade  was  then  carried  on  ex- 
clusively in  British  vessels,  till  the  act  of  congress  con- 
cerning navigation,  of  1818,  and  the  supplemental  act  of 
1820,  met  the  interdict  by  a  corresponding  measure  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States.  These  measures,  not  of 
retaliation,  but  of  necessary  self-defence,  were  soon  suc- 
ceeded by  an  act  of  parliament,  opening  certain  colonial 
ports  to  the  vessels  of  the  United  States,  coming  dirertly 
from  them,  and  to  the  importation  from  them  of  certain 
articles  of  our  produce,  burdened  with  heavy  duties,  and 
excluding  some  of  the  most  valuable  articles  of  our  ex- 
ports. 

The  United  States  opened  their  ports  to  British  vessels 
from  the  colonies,  upon  terms  as  exactly  corresponding 
with  those  of  the  act  of  parliament,  as  in  the  relative 
condition  of  the  parties  could  be  made.  And  a  negotia- 
tion was  commenced  by  mutual  consent,  with  the  hope; 
on  our  part,  that  a  reciprocal  spirit  of  accommodation, 
and  a  common  sentiment  of  the  importance  of  the  trade 
to  the  interests  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  countries 
between  whom  it  must  be  carried  on,  would  ultimately 
bring  the  parties  to  a  compromise,  with  which  both  might 
be  satisfied.  With  this  view  the  government  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  had  determined  to  sacrifice  something  of  that 
entire  reciprocity,  which,  in  all  commercial  arrangements 
with  foreign  power?,  they  are  entitled  to  demand,  and  to 
acquiesce  in  some  inequalities  disadvantageous  to  our- 

36* 


426  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

selves,  rather  than  to  forego  the  benefit  of  a  final  and 
permanent  adjustment  of  this  interest,  to  the  satisfaction 
of  Great  Britain  herself. 

The  negotiation,  repeatedly  suspended  by  accidental 
circumstances,  was,  however,  by  mutual  agreement,  and 
express  assent,  considered  as  pending,  and  to  be  speedily 
resumed.  In  the  mean  time,  another  act  of  parliament, 
so  doubtful  and  ambiguous  in  its  import,  as  to  have  been 
misunderstood  by  the  officers  in  the  colonies  who  were  to 
carry  it  into  execution,  opens  again  certain  colonial  ports, 
upon  new  conditions  and  terms,  with  a  threat  to  close 
them  against  any  nation  which  may  not  accept  those 
terms  as  prescribed  by  the  British  government. 

This  act  passed  in  July,  1825,  not  communicated  to  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  not  understood  by  the 
British  rfficers  of  the  customs  in  the  colonies  where  it 
was  to  be  enforced,  was,  nevertheless,  submitted  to  the 
consideration  of  congress  at  their  last  session.  With  the 
knowledge  that  a  negotiation  upon  the  subject  had  long 
been  in  progress,  and  pledges  given  of  its  resumption  at 
an  early  day,  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  await  the  result 
of  that  negotiation,  rather  than  to  subscribe  implicitly  to 
terms,  the  import  of  which  was  not  clear,  and  which  the 
British  authorities  themselves,  in  this  hemisphere,  were 
not  prepared  to  explain. 

He  closes  the  subject  of  British  difficulties,  by  trusting 
that  the  misunderstanding  noticed  would  not  have  an  un- 
propitious  effect  on  other  subjects  connected  with  our 
mutual  relations. 

He  then  alludes  to  the  Panama  mission,  and  presses  the 
opinion  that  we  ought  to  be  there  represented. 

Of  our  fiscal  concerns,  and  the  contemplated  reduction 
of  the  public  debt,  he  speaks  in  favourable  terms.  Of 
the  military  and  naval  departments  he  speaks  in  a  favour- 
able manner,  and  extols  the  management  of  the  post  office 
department. 

The  conclusion  is  as  follows  : 

In  closing  this  communication,  I  trust  it  will  not  be 
deemed  inappropriate  to  the  occasion  and  purposes  upon 
which  we  are  here  assembled,  to  indulge  a  momentary  re- 
trospect, combining,  in  a  single  glance,  the  period  of  our 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  427 

origin  as  a  national  confederation  with  that  of  our  present 
existence,  at  the  precise  interval  of  half  a  century  from 
each  other.  Since  your  last  meeting  at  this  place,  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  day  when  our  independence 
was  declared,  has  been  celebrated  throughout  our  land, 
and  on  that  day,  when  every  heart  was  bounding  with  joy, 
and  every  voice  was  tuned  to  gratulation,  amid  the  bless- 
ings of  freedom  and  independence,  which  the  sires  of  a 
former  age  had  handed  down  to  their  children,  two  of 
the  principal  actors  in  that  solemn  scene,  the  hand  that 
penned  the  ever  memorable  declaration,  and  the  voice 
that  sustained  it  in  debate,  were,  by  the  summons,  at  the 
distance  of  seven  hundred  miles  from  each  other,  called 
before  the  Judge  of  all,  to  account  for  their  deeds  done 
upon  earth. 

They  departed,  cheered  by  the  benedictions  of  their 
country,  to  whom  they  left  the  inheritance  of  their  fame, 
and  the  memory  of  their  bright  example.  If  we  turn 
our  thoughts  to  the  condition  of  their  country,  in  the 
contrast  of  the  first  and  last  day  of  that  century,  how  re- 
splendent and  sublime  is  the  transition  from  gloom  to 
glory !  Then  glancing  through  the  same  lapse  of  time, 
in  the  condition  of  the  individuals,  we  see  the  first  day 
marked  with  the  fulness  and  vigour  of  youth,  in  the  pledge 
of  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honour,  to 
ihe  cause  of  freedom  and  of  mankind.  And  on  the  last, 
extended  on  the  bed  of  death,  with  but  sense  and  sensibi- 
lity left  to  breathe  a  last  aspiration  to  Heaven,  of  bless- 
ing upon  their  country ;  may  we  not  humbly  hope  that 
to  them  too,  it  was  a  pledge  of  transition  from  gloom  to 
glory ;  and  that  while  their  mortal  vestments  were  sink- 
ing into  the  clod  of  the  valley,  their  emancipated  spirits 
Were  ascending  to  the  bosom  of  their  God ! 

During  the  session,  a  number  of  interesting  report? 
were  made  from  the  different  departments,  and  a  number 
of  valuable  documents  presented.  The  famous  treaty 
with  M'Intosh,  and  other  Creek  chiefs,  was  put  under 
examination,  and  condemned. 

This  treaty,  it  may  be  recollected,  was  made  by  M'In- 
tosh in  a  clandestine  manner,  for  which  he  subsequently 
suffered  death.  Circumstances  and  clear  testimony  were 


428  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

adduced,  to  show  that  this  was  the  state  of  the  treaty ; 
and  it  was  no  longer  considered  obligatory  on  either  the 
United  States  or  the  Creek  nation.  To  show  the  spirit 
of  hostility  manifested  by  the  executive  of  Georgia,  no- 
thing more  is  necessary  than  to  copy  the  two  following 
orders.  It  is  only  necessary  to  state,  that  Georgia  had 
long  coveted  the  Creek  lands,  and  by  collusion  with  some 
chiefs,  determined  to  possess  them  even  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet,  and  the  destruction  of  the  aborigines.  We 
rejoice  that  the  general  government  stopped  the  torrent  of 
usurpation,  and  exhibited  the  features  of  firmness,  jus'- 
tice,  and  generosity. 

Executive  Department,  Geo.  Milledgcvittc,  Feb.  17,  1827. 
Ordered,  That  the  attorney  and  solicitors  general  of 
this  state,  in  every  instance  of  complaint  made  of  the 
arrest  of  any  surveyor  engaged  in  the  survey  of  the  late 
acquired  territory,  by  any  civil  process  under  the  autho- 
rity of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  do  take  all 
necessary  and  legal  measures  to  effect  the  liberation  of 
the  person  so  arrested,  and  to  bring  to  justice,  either  by 
indictment  or  otherwise,  the  officers  or  parties  concerned 
in  such  an  arrest,  as  offenders  against  the  laws,  and  viola- 
ters  of  the  peace  and  personal  security  of  the  public  offi- 
cers and  citizens  of  this  state.  That  they  give  profes- 
sional advice  and  assistance  in  their  defence  against  any 
prosecution  or  action  which  may  be  instituted  against  them 
as  officers  in  the  service  of  the  state,  and  that  they  prompt 
ly  make  known  to  this  department  their  acts  and  doings 
in  the  premises.  It  is  moreover  enjoined  on  the  civil  ma- 
gistrates of  this  state,  having  competent  jurisdiction  of 
the  same,  to  be  acting  and  assisting  in  inquiring  into  the 
cause  of  every  such  arrest  or  detention  as  aforesaid,  that 
the  person  may  be  discharged  forthwith,  if  illegally  or  un- 
justly detained,  and  in  affording  such  redress  to  the  ag 
grieved  or  injured  party,  as  by  law  he  may  be  entitled  to 
receive. 

By  the  governor,  E.  H.  PIERCE,  Sec'ry. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  429 


Head  quarters,  Milledgeville,  17th  Feb.  1827. 

ORDERS. 

The  major  generals  commanding  the  6th  and  7th  divi- 
sions, will  immediately  issue  orders  to  hold  in  readiness 
the  several  regiments  and  battalions  within  their  respect- 
ive commands,  to  repel  any  hostile  invasion  of  the  territory 
of  this  state.  Depots  of  arms  and  ammunition  central  to 
each  division  will  be  established  in  due  time. 

By  the  commander  in  chief, 

JOHN  W.  A.  SANDFORD,  Aid-de-Camp. 

This  congress  closed  its  session  on  the  third  of  March, 
and  the  twentieth  congress  opened  its  sittings  on  the  third 
of  December,  1827. 

On  the  fourth,  the  message  of  the  president  was  re- 
ceived and  read  in  both  houses.  After  giving  a  general, 
but  concise  and  elevating  view  of  our  situation  as  a  peo- 
ple, he  thus  speaks  of  our  foreign  concerns  : — Our  rela- 
tions of  friendship  with  the  other  nations  of  the  earth, 
political  and  commercial,  have  been  preserved  unimpaired, 
and  the  opportunities  to  improve  them  have  been  culti- 
vated with  anxious  and  unremitting  attention.  A  nego- 
tiation upon  subjects  of  high  and  delicate  interest,  with 
the  government  of  Great  Britain,  has  terminated  in  the 
adjustment  of  some  of  the  questions  at  issue  upon  satisfac- 
tory terms,  and  the  postponement  of  others  for  future  dis- 
cussion and  agreement. 

The  purposes  of  the  convention  concluded  at  St.  Pe- 
tersburg, on  the  12th  day  of  July,  1822,  under  the  media- 
tion of  the  late  Emperor  Alexander,  have  been  carried 
into  effect  by  a  subsequent  convention,  concluded  at  Lon- 
don on  the  J3th  of  November,  1826,  the  ratifications  of 
which  were  exchanged  at  that  place  on  the  6th  day  of 
February  last.  A  copy  of  the  proclamation  issued  on 
the  nineteenth  day  of  March  last,  publishing  this  conven- 
tion, is  herewith  communicated  to  congress.  The  sum 
of  twelve  hundred  and  four  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
sixty  dollars,  therein  stipulated  to  be  paid  to  the  claimants 
of  indemnity  under  the  first  article  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent, 
has  been  duly  received,  and  the  commission  instituted, 


430  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

conformably  to  the  act  of  congress  of  the  second  of  March 
last,  for  the  distribution  of  the  indemnity  to  the  persons 
entitled  to  receive  it,  are  now  in  session,  and  approaching 
the  consummation  of  their  labours. 

This  final  disposal  of  one  of  the  most  painful  topics  of 
collision  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  not 
only  affords  an  occasion  of  gratulation  to  ourselves,  but 
has  had  the  happiest  effect  in  promoting  a  friendly  dis- 
position, and  in  softening  asperities  upon  other  objects  of 
discussion.  Nor  ought  it  to  pass  without  the  tribute  of  a 
frank  and  cordial  acknowledgment  of  the  magnanimity 
with  which  an  honourable  nation,  by  the  reparation  of 
their  own  wrongs,  achieves  a  triumph  more  glorious  than 
any  field  of  blood  can  ever  bestow. 

The  conventions  of  3d  July,  1815,  and  of  20th  Octo- 
ber, 1818,  will  expire,  by  their  own  limitation,  on  the 
20th  October,  1828.  These  have  regulated  the  direct 
commercial  intercourse  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain,  upon  terms  of  the  most  perfect  recipro- 
city; and  they  effected  a  temporary  compromise  of  the 
respective  rights  and  claims  to  territory  westward  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  These  arrangements  have  been  con- 
tinued for  an  indefinite  period  of  time,  after  the  expira- 
tion of  the  above  mentioned  conventions  ;  leaving  each 
party  the  liberty  of  terminating  them,  by  giving  twelve 
months  notice  to  the  other.  The  radical  principle  of  all 
commercial  intercourse  between  independent  nations,  is 
the  mutual  interest  of  both  parties.  It  is  the  vital  spirit 
of  trade  itself;  nor  can  it  be  reconciled  to  the  nature  of 
man,  or  to  the  primary  laws  of  human  society,  that  any 
traffic  should  long  be  willingly  pursued,  of  which  all  the 
advantages  are  on  one  side,  and  all  the  burdens  on  the 
other. 

Treaties  of  commerce  have  been  found,  by  experience, 
to  be  among  the  most  effective  instruments  for  promot- 
ing peace  and  harmony  between  nations  whose  interests, 
exclusively  considered  on  either  side,  are  brought  into 
frequent  collisions  by  competition.  In  framing  such  trea- 
ties, it  is  the  duty  of  each  party  not  simply  to  urge  with 
unyielding  pertinacity  that  which  suits  its  own  interest. 
but  to  concede  liberally  to  that  which  is  adapted  to  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  431 

interest  of  the  other.  To  accomplish  this,  little  more  is 
generally  required  than  a  simple  observance  of  the  rule 
of  reciprocity;  and  were  it  possible  for  the  statesmen  of 
one  nation,  by  stratagem  and  management,  to  obtain  from 
the  weakness  or  ignorance  of  another,  an  over-reaching 
treaty,  such  a  compact  would  prove  an  incentive  to  war, 
rather  than  a  bond  of  peace.  Our  conventions  with 
Great  Britain  are  founded  upon  the  principles  of  recipro- 
city. 

The  commercial  intercourse  between  the  two  countries 
is  greater  in  magnitude  and  amount,  than  between  any 
two  other  nations  on  the  globe.  It  is,  for  all  purposes  of 
benefit  or  advantage,  to  both,  as  precious,  and,  in  all  pro- 
bability, far  more  extensive,  than  if  the  parties  were  still 
constituent  parts  of  one  and  the  same  nation.  Treaties 
between  such  states,  regulating  the  intercourse  of  peace 
between  them,  and  adjusting  interests  of  such  transcend- 
ant  importance  to  both,  which  have  been  found,  in  a  long 
experience  of  years,  mutually  advantageous,  should  not 
be  lightly  cancelled  or  discontinued.  Two  conventions, 
for  continuing  in  force  those  above  mentioned,  have  been 
concluded  between  the  plenipotentiaries  of  the  two  go- 
vernments, on  the  6th  of  August  last,  and  will  be  forth- 
with laid  before  the  senate  for  the  exercise  of  their  con- 
stitutional authority  concerning  them. 

'He  then  alludes  to  the  execution  of  the  treaties  of  1782, 
and  1783,  respecting  the  boundary  line  of  the  Union, 
showing  that  difficulties  had  arisen  respecting  their  adjust- 
ment. Commissioners  had  been  appointed  by  both  par- 
ties, to  settle  these  questions,  but  the  object  had  not  been 
fully  accomplished,  and  a  convention  of  September,  1826, 
was  intended  for  reference  to  the  senate.  He  then  notices 
a  communication  irom  the  governor  of  Maine,  touching 
the  difficulties  respecting  territorial  jurisdiction,  which 
had  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  that  state,  and  concludes 
the  subject  by  stating  that  he  had  taken  measures  to  ob- 
tain the  best  information  of  facts  in  the  case,  which  should 
be  communicated  when  received.  He  ajsu  reverts  to  the 
difficulties  and  embarrassments  arising  from  the  British 
colonial  regulations,  which  he  states  as  not  y&t  appro*,' 
raating  to  a  friendly  understanding. 


432  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

In  speaking  of  France,  he  states,  that  our  commerce 
with  that  people  is  increasing,  while  it  is  a  source  of  re- 
gret, that  our  demands  on  that  government  for  spolia- 
tions, remain  unsettled.  With  the  kingdom  of  Sweden 
a  new  treaty  had  been  concluded,  and  a  minister  pleni- 
potentiary from  the  Hansealic  towns  received.  With 
Russia  we  are  at  peace,  and  the  good  understanding 
which  subsisted  with  Alexander,  has  not  been  interrupt- 
ed by  the  succession  of  his  brother  Nicholas  to  the 
empire. 

Of  the  Greeks  he  speaks  most  feelingly,  and  notices 
the  letter  of  thanks  from  the  president  of  that  country, 
which  was  to  be  translated,  and  placed  before  congress. 

Alluding  to  our  southern  neighbours,  he  says  :  "  In  the 
American  hemisphere  the  cause  of  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence has  continued  to  prevail ;  and  if  signalized  by 
none  of  those  splendid  triumphs  which  had  crowned  with 
glory  some  of  the  preceding  years,  it  has  only  been  from 
the  banishment  of  all  external  force  against  which  the 
struggle  had  been  maintained.  The  shout  of  victory  has 
been  superseded  by  the  expulsion  of  the  enemy  over 
whom  it  could  have  been  achieved.  Our  friendly  wishes, 
and  cordial  good  will,  which  have  constantly  followed 
the  southern  nations  of  America  in  all  the  vicissitudes  01 
their  war  of  independence,  are  succeeded  by  a  solicitude, 
equally  ardent  and  cordial,  that  by  the  wisdom  and  purity 
of  their  institutions,  they  may  secure  to  themselves  the 
choicest  blessings  of  social  order,  and  the  best  rewards  of 
virtuous  liberty . 

The  message  then  aiiuues  to  our  remaining  difficulties 
with  Brazil,  which  he  had  taken  measures  to  settle,  and 
finally  returns  to  the  more  grateful  subjects  of  our  inter- 
nal concerns  uiua  : 

"  Turning  from  the  momentous  concerns  of  our  union, 
in  its  intercourse  with  foreign  nations,  to  those  of  the 
deepest  interest  in  the  administration  of  our  internal 
affairs,  we  find  the  revenues  of  the  present  year  corres- 
ponding, as  nearly  as  might  be  expected,  to  the  anticipa- 
tions of  the  last,  and  presenting  an  aspect  still  more  fa- 
vourable in  the  promise  of  the  next.  The  balance  in  the 
treasury,  on  the  first  of  January  last,  was  six  millions 


THE  UNITED  STATES.       .  433 

three  hundred  and  fifty-eight  thousand  six  hundred  and 
eighty-six  dollars  and  eighteen  cents.  The  receipts  from 
that  day  to  the  30th  of  September  last,  as  near  as  the  re- 
turns of  them  yet  received  can  show,  amount  to  sixteen 
millions  eight  hundred  and  eighty-six  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  eighty-one  dollars  and  thirty-two  cents.  The 
receipts  of  the  present  quarter,  estimated  at  four  mil- 
lions five  hundred  and  fifteen  thousand,  added  to  the 
above,  form  an  aggregate  of  twenty-one  millions  four  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  of  receipts.  The  expenditures  of 
the  year  may  perhaps  amount  to  twenty-two  millions 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars,  presenting  a  small  ex- 
cess over  the  receipts.  But  of  these  twenty-two  mil- 
lions, upwards  of  six  have  been  applied  to  the  discharge 
of  the  principal  of  the  public  debt ;  the  whole  amount  of 
which,  approaching  seventy-four  millions  on  the  first  of 
January  last,  will,  on  the  first  day  of  next  year,  fall  short 
of  sixty-seven  millions  and  a  half.  The  balance  in  the 
treasury,  on  the  first  of  January  next,  it  is  expected,  will 
exceed  five  millions  four  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars, a  sum  exceeding  that  of  the  first  of  January,  1825, 
though  falling  short  of  that  exhibited  on  the  first  of  Ja- 
nuary last. 

"  It  was  foreseen  that  the  revenue  of  the  present  year 
would  not  equal  that  of  the  last,  which  had  itself  been 
less  than  that  of  the  next  preceding  year.  But  the  hope 
has  been  realized  which  was  entertained,  that  these  defi- 
ciencies would  in  no  wise  interrupt  the  steady  operation 
of  the  discharge  of  the  public  debt,  by  the  annual  ten 
millions  devoted  to  that  object,  by  the  act  of  3d  March, 
1817. 

"  The  amount  of  duties  secured  on  merchandise,  im- 
ported from  the  commencement  of  the  year,  until  the 
30th  of  September  last,  is  twenty-one  millions  two  rtun- 
dred  and  twenty-six  thousand  ;  and  the  probable  amount 
of  that  which  will  be  secured  during  the  remainder  of  the 
year,  is  five  millions  seven  hundred  and  seventy-four 
thousand  dollars ;  forming  a  sum  total  of  twenty-seven 
millions.  With  the  allowances  for  drawbacks  and  con- 
tingent  deficiencies  which  may  occur,  though  not  speci 
fically  foreseen,  we  may  safely  estimate  the  receipts  of 

37 


434  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  ensuing  year  at  twenty-two  millions  three  hundred 
thousand  dollars ;  a  revenue  for  the  next,  equal  to  the  ex- 
penditure of  the  present  year. 

"The  deep  solicitude  felt  by  our  citizens  of  all  classes 
throughout  the  union  for  the  total  discharge  of  the  public 
debt,  will  apologize  for  the  earnestness  with  which  I  deem 
it  my  duty  to  urge  this  topic  upon  the  consideration  of 
congress — of  recommending  to  them  again  the  observ- 
ance of  the  strictest  economy  in  the  application  of  the 
public  funds.  The  depression  upon  the  receipts  of  the 
revenue,  which  had  commenced  with  the  year  1826,  con- 
tinued with  increased  severity  during  the  two  first  quar- 
ters of  the  present  year.  The  returning  tide  began  to 
flow  with  the  third  quarter,  and,  so  far  as  we  can  judge 
from  experience,  may  be  expected  to  continue  through 
the  course  of  the  ensuing  year.  In  the  meantime,  an  al- 
leviation from  the  burden  of  the  public  debt  will,  in  the 
three  years,  have  been  effected,  to  the  amount  of  nearly 
sixteen  millions,  arid  the  charge  of  annual  interest  will 
have  been  reduced  upwards  of  one  million. 

"  But  among  the  maxims  of  political  economy  which 
the  stewards  of  the  public  moneys  should  never  suffer 
without  urgent  necessity,  to  be  transcended,  is  that  of 
keeping  the  expenditures  of  the  year  within  the  limits  oi 
its  receipts.  The  appropriations  of  the  two  last  years, 
including  the  yearly  ten  millions  of  the  sinking  fund, 
have  each  equalled  the  promised  revenue  of  the  ensuing 
year.  While  we  foresee  with  confidence  that  the  public 
coffers  will  be  replenished  from  the  receipts,  as  fast  as 
they  will  be  drained  by  the  expenditures,  equal  in  amount 
to  those  of  the  current  year,  it  should  not  be  forgotten 
that  they  could  ill  suffer  the  exhaustion  of  larger  disburse- 
ments." 

After  noticing  the  measures  lafcen  with  a  view  to  in- 
ternal improvements,  he  mentions  the  report  from  the 
post  office  department,  as  very  satisfactory  and  encoura- 
ging, and  closes  by  recommending  the  subject  of  pen- 
sions to  our  remaining  revolutionary  officers  and  soldiers, 
as  a  debt  of  justice,  i«ther  than  one  of  gratitude. 

The  report  of  the  treasurer  states,  that  more  than  six 
millions  and  a  quarter,  by  estimation,  would  be  in  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  435 

hands  on  the  first  of  January,  and  recommends  an  addi- 
tion to  the  tariff  of  1824.  The  article  of  domestic  manu- 
factures, are  estimated  at  more  than  seven  millions,  ex- 
ported. Other  exports  at  about  eighty  millions.  He 
states  that  many  articles  of  home  manufacture  had  be- 
come cheaper,  more  abundant,  and  of  superior  quality, 
since  the  adoption  of  the  tariff,  than  before,  and  presses 
on  the  country  the  importance  of  increasing  the  tariff, 
particularly  on  wool,  and  woollen  goods,  fine  cotton 
goods,  bar  iron  and  hemp.  It  is  not  possible,  however, 
in  this  condensed  sketch,  to  give  an  outline  of  this  valua- 
ble report. 

Early  in  the  session  steps  were  taken  to  ascertain  the 
importance  of  revising  thoroughly  the  tariff  system  of 
18*24.  A  committee  was  appointed,  clothed  with  ample 
powers  to  investigate  the  subject.  This  report  was  made 
in  February,  from  which  we  shall  give  a  few  extracts. 

After  stating  the  many  obstacles  necessary  to  be  over- 
come, and  the  labours  to  which  they  were  subject,  the 
committee  proceeds  :  This  labour  being  performed,  the 
committee  at  once  began  their  examinations  of  such  wit- 
nesses, members  of  the  house,  and  others,  as  were  within 
their  reach,  and  believed  to  be  possessed  of  valuable  and 
practical  information  upon  any  of  the  subjects  before  them. 
The  examination  of  these  witnesses  was  not  completed 
when  the  arrival  of  some  attending  under  summonses 
was  announced. 

An  application  was  then  immediately  made  to  the  house 
for  leave  to  sit  during  the  hours  of  session  of  the  house ; 
and  nearly  every  day  since  that  leave  was  granted,  has 
been  entirely  occupied,  to  the  almost  total  neglect  of  other 
public  and  private  duties,  in  the  laborious  examination  of 
witnesses,  pursuant  to  the  resolution  under  which  the 
committee  were  acting  It  is  but  justice  here  to  remark, 
that  the  original  expectation  of  the  committee,  under  the 
resolution  offered  by  them  to  the  house,  was  to  have  made 
an  expeditious  inquiry  into  the  situation  of  one  or  two 
manufacturing  interests,  rather  to  enable  them  to  deter- 
mine what  further  protection  these  interests  really  re- 
u uired,  than  with  the  expectation,  within  the  limited  time 
which  they  had  allowed  to  themselves  for  the  purpose  of 


436  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

being  able  to  collect  and  report  to  the  house,  a  body  ol 
evidence  upon  several  important  branches  of  our  domes- 
tic manufactures,  so  digested  and  arranged  as  to  be  of  any 
essential  service  to  the  house,  or  to  the  public,  as  a  source 
of  correct  information  upon  these  complicated  subjects. 

The  amendment,  however,  which  was  made  to  the  re- 
solution by  the  house,  so  as  to  give  the  committee  the  au- 
thority "  to  send  for,  and  examine  persons  upon  oath,  in 
relation  to  the  present  condition  of  our  manufactures,  and 
to  report  the  minutes  of  such  examination  to  this  house," 
it  will  readily  be  seen,  added  greatly  to  the  labour  which 
the  committee  had  proposed  for  themselves  ;  as,  by  that 
amendment,  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the  committee, 
should  they  think  proper  to  examine  witnesses,  to  take 
their  testimony  in  detail,  and  in  such  order  as  to  render  it 
at  least  passably  intelligible  to  the  house.  This  additional 
labour  was  in  no  other  way  exceptionable  to  the  commit- 
tee, than  as  it  rendered  somewhat  doubtful  their  ability 
to  give  their  report  to  the  house  within  the  time  which 
they  had  signified  that  it  would  be  received.  But,  even 
under  this  apprehension,  so  desirous  were  the  committee 
of  a  full  developement  of  the  facts,  that  the  amended  re- 
solution met  their  approbation;  and  they  entered  upon 
their  duties,  determined,  if  possible,  to  realize  the  expec- 
tations of  the  house,  so  far,  at  least,  as  regarded  a  report 
within  the  time  they  had  indicated. 

They  have  examined  a  little  short  of  thirty  witnesses, 
and  the  testimony  of  each,  hastily  written  out  by  way  of 
question  and  answer,  and  annexed  to  this  report,  will 
show  what  facts  have  been  collected  by  the  examination, 
as  well  as  the  extent  of  the  labour  which  the  committee 
have  performed.  The  testimony  of  each  witness,  after  it 
was  taken,  had  been  carefully  read  over  with  him,  and  so 
corrected  as  to  meet  the  full  assent  of  the  witness  to  its 
accuracy* 

The  leading  subjects  presented  to  the  committee  for 
additional  protection,  are  iron,  and  several  manufactures 
of  it,  wool,  and  its  fabrics,  hemp,  and  some  of  the  manu- 
factures from  it,  flax,  and  its  manufactures,  and  domestic 
distilled  spirits  from  grain,  particular  descriptions  of 
glass,  and  fine  and  printed  cottons.  Upon  all  these  sub- 
jects witnesses  have  been  examined,  and  their  testimony, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  437 

herewith  reported,  comprises  the  evidence,  upon  each 
subject,  which  the  committee  have  taken  under  the  reso- 
lution of  the  house,  and  embodies  most  of  the  information 
upon  which  they  have  acted  in  determining  the  features 
of  the  bill  which  they  have  agreed  upon. 

The  first  subject  which  will  be  found  in  the  bill,  is 
that  of  iron,  and  considering  the  importance  of  the  ar- 
ticle, as  one  of  both  national  and  individual  necessity,  the 
changes  in  the  present  rates  of  duty  are  comparatively 
very  light. 

The  next  subject  in  order  is  that  of  wool  and  wool- 
lens. To  these  subjects  the  greater  part  of  the  testimony 
of  the  witnesses  has  been  directed,  and  the  committee 
have  used  every  effort  in  their  power  to  obtain  precise 
information  as  to  the  facts  as  they  do  actually  exist  in  re- 
lation to  the  interests  both  of  the  wool  grower  and  the 
manufacturer  of  wool.  The  real  importance  of  these  sub- 
jects to  those  sections  of  the  country  where  wool  is  grown, 
and  in  which  the  manufactories  are  located,  the  feeling 
which  has  for  some  time  agitated  the  public  mind  through- 
out the  whole  country,  in  relation,  on  the  one' side,  to 
the  necessity  of  further  protection  to  them,  and  on  the 
other  side,  to  the  injurious  effects  which  such  a  measure 
would  have  upon  the  purchasers  of  woollen  fabrics,  have 
all  conspired  to  induce  this  exertion  on  the  part  of  th 
committee. 

They  have  therefore  made  the  examinations  of  the  wit- 
nesses, upon  those  subjects,  as  minute  as  possible,  and, 
perhaps,  in  some  instances,  they  may  appear  tediously  so. 
Indeed,  many  of  the  questions  put  to  the  witnesses,  will 
afford  abundant  evidence  that  the  committee  had  not 
sufficient  practical  knowledge  upon  the  subjects  before 
them,  to  enable  them  to  make  a  series  of  interrogations 
the  answers  to  which  would  place  the  testimony  taken  in 
the  clearest  light.  And  when  the  members  of  the  house 
shall  have  examined  the  evidence  relating  to  the  manufac- 
ture of  woollen  goods,  the  committee  cannot  doubt  they 
will  be  entirely  convinced  that  none  but  a  person  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  various  operations,  could  have 
drawn  out  a  series  of  questions  upon  the  subject,  suscepti- 
ble of  clear  and  intelligible  answers. 

37* 


438  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

The  time  of  the  committee  did  not  authorize  even  an 
attempt  to  do  this,  and,  therefore,  the  examinations,  and 
particularly  of  some  of  the  witnesses  first  examined,  will 
appear  as  they  were  really  taken — the  one  answer,  in 
many,  if  not  in  most  instances,  suggesting  the  subsequent 
question.  It  will  also  be  found,  upon  an  examination  of 
the  testimony,  that  the  manufacture  of  woollens  is  hardly 
susceptible  of  being  reduced  within  the  limits  of  exact 
mathematical  calculation,  so  as  to  enable  the  committee 
to  arrive,  with  this  kind  of  certainty,  at  the  amount  of 
duty  which  will  furnish  full  protection,  and  at  the  same 
time,  will  not  go  beyond  that  point.  Certain  positions, 
however,  they  believe  to  be  proved  by  the  evidence  they 
have  taken,  which  furnish  great  assistance  in  approaching 
to  correct  conclusions. 

From  all  which  the  committee  could  gather  on  the 
subject,  they  think  the  following  positions  may  be  fairly 
stated : — 

1st.  That  the  manufacture  of  woollen  goods  in  this 
country,  is,  at  this  time,  a  business  labouring  under  severe 
depressions,  and  attended  with  loss  more  severe  upon  the 
finer  qualities. 

2d.  That  these  depressions  are  owing,  in  a  very  great 
degree,  to  the  excessive  and  irregular  importations  of 
foreign  woollen  goods  into  our  markets  :  thus  causing  a 
fluctuation  in,  and  an  uncertainty  of  price  for  those  goods, 
more  injurious  to  the  American  manufacturer  than  even 
the  depression  of  price  which  these  importations  produce. 

3d.  That  the  differences  between  the  prices  cf  vvrool, 
of  the  same  quality,  in  this  country  and  in  England,  is  at 
the  present  time  about  fifty  per  cent,  in  favour  of  the  lat- 
ter country. 

4th.  That  the  cost  of  raw  wool  in  this  country  is  about 
one  half  of  the  cost  of  the  fabric,  when  prepared  for  the 
market,  as  a  general  rule  applying  to  most  kinds  of 
cloths. 

5th.  That  if  the  cost  of  the  wool  and  the  cost  of  the 
foreign  materials  used  for  dying,  were  the  same  in  both 
countries,  the  process  of  manufacturing  the  wool  into  cloth, 
fitted  for  the  market,  can  be  performed  as  cheap  in  this 
country  as  it  can  in  England. 


THE  UTttTED  STATES.  439 

6th.  That  the  present  duty  on  woollen  goods  does  not 
lurnish  the  desired  protection,  and  that  no  reasonable 
duty  can  be  effectual,  unless  it  be  a  specific  square  yard, 
instead  of  an  ad  valorem  duty. 

Taking,  then,  these  positions  as  granted,  the  committee 
proposed  to  lay  the  following  duties : — 

1st.  Upon  all  manufactures  of  wool,  or  of  which  wool 
shall  be  a  component  part,  the  actual  value  of  which,  at 
the  place  whence  imported,  shall  not  exceed  fifty  cents 
per  square  yard,  a  specific  duty  of  sixteen  cents  upon 
every  square  yard. 

2d.  Upon  all  manufactures  of  wool,  or  of  which  wool 
shall  be  a  component  part,  the  actual  value  of  which,  at 
the  place  whence  imported,  shall  exceed  fifty  cents  per 
square  yard,  and  shall  not  exceed  $1  per  square  yard,  a 
specific  duty  of  40  cents  upon  every  square  yard. 

3d.  Upon  manufactures  of  wool,  or  of  which  wool 
shall  be  a  component  part,  the  actual  value  of  which,  at 
the  place  whence  imported,  shall  exceed  $1  per  square 
yard,  and  shall  not  exceed  $2,50  per  square  yard,  a  spe- 
cific duty  of  $1  upon  every  square  yard. 

4th.  Upon  all  manufactures  of  wool,  or  of  which  wool 
shall  be  a  component  part,  the  actual  value  of  which,  at 
the  place  whence  imported,  shall  exceed  82,50  per  square 
yard,  and  shall  not  exceed  84  per  square  yard,  shall  be 
deemed  to  have  cost  84  per  square  yard,  and  at  such  va- 
luation shall  be  charged  with,  and  pay  a  duty  of  40  per 
centum,  ad  valorem. 

5th.  Upon  all  manufactures  of  wool,  &c.  the  actual 
value  of  which,  at  the  place  whence  imported,  shall  ex- 
ceed 84  per  square  yard,  shall  be  charged  with,  and  pay 
a  duty  of  45  per  centum,  ad  valorem. 

The  attention  of  the  committee  was  next  turned  to 
hemp  and  flax,  and  certain  manufactures  from  them. 
After  showing  that  our  country  can  raise  and  manufacture 
from  these  articles  to  advantage,  and  that,  in  some  points, 
they  form  an  important  item  in  the  products  of  this 
country,  they  propose  to  lay  a  duty  of  $10  the  ton  on  raw 
hemp,  and  89  the  ton  on  flax,  and  would  make  the  rate  01 
duty  progressive,  until  it  should  arrive  at  860  the  ton  on 
each. 


440  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

On  foreign  distilled  spirits,  the  committee  proposed  an 
additional  duty  of  ten  cents,  and  on  foreign  molasses,  an 
increase  of  five  cents  the  gallon. 

The  great  importance  of  a  national  system,  is  so  evi- 
dent, that  few  doubt  the  propriety  of  a  tariff  for  the  pro- 
tection of  domestic  manufactures.  This  was  the  all  ab- 
sorbing business  of  the  last  session,  and  the  measure  has 
been  effected  Whether  all  the  details  are  unexceptiona- 
ble, is  left  for  practice  to  determine.  If  faults  should  be 
discovered,  they  can  be  remedied  by  the  legislature.  If 
it  should  have  an  unequal  bearing  on  different  sections  of 
the  Union,  the  difficulty  may  be  obviated  ;  or,  if  not,  the 
only  evils  which  will  remain  are  those  which  are  insepa- 
rable from  all  general  systems.  All  that  can  be  required, 
is  the  greatest  good  of  the  whole  as  a  nation. 

That  opposition  should  be  manifested  to  any  great  na- 
tional change  is  not  surprising ;  it  would  rather  surprise 
if  this  were  not  the  case.  No  such  change  can  be  made, 
without  effecting  individual  interest.  But  where  the 
great,  the  permanent  interests,  and  permanent  prosperity 
of  the  country  are  at  stake,  both  wisdom  and  duty  dictate 
that  the  minor  interests  should  give  way.  The  balance 
of  trade  has  been  long  enough  against  us.  Commercial 
difficulties,  and  scarcity  of  money,  substantiate  the  fact 
conclusively.  To  retrace  our  steps,  and  take  an  inde- 
pendent stand,  \vas  our  only  safe  alternative,  and  we  re- 
joice that  this  course  has  been  pursued,  because  we  are 
fully  persuaded  that  the  step  will  ultimately  result  in  good. 

Remarks  upon  Part  Third. 

The  Mississippi,  the  Missouri,  the  Ohio,  no  longer 
flows  through  a  wilderness  ;  large  three  masted  ships  sail 
up  them,  and  more  than  two  hundred  steam-boats  enliven 
their  banks. 

Thus  the  United  States  cherish  within  their  bosom,  un- 
der the  protection  of  liberty,  an  image  and  a  memorial  of 
most  of  the  celebrated  places  of  ancient  and  modern  Eu- 
rope— like  that  garden  in  the  Campagna  of  Rome,  in 
which  Adrian  had  models  of  the  different  monuments  of 
his  empire  erected. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  441 

It  should  be  observed,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  county 
but  has  a  town,  village,  or  hamlet,  called  Washington : 
touching  unanimity  of  the  gratitude  of  a  nation  ! 

Thirty  high  roads  meet  at  Washington,  as  the  Roman 
roads  met  at  ancient  Rome,  and,  diverging  from  that  point, 
run  to  the  circumference  of  the  United  States.  The 
whole  forming  an  interior  circulation  of  roads  of  25,747 
miles. 

From  the  points  to  which  these  roads  tend,  it  is  obvious 
that  they  traverse  tracts  formerly  wild,  but  now  cultivated 
and  inhabited.  On  a  great  number  of  these  roads  you 
may  travel,  post,  or  public  stage  coaches,  carry  you  from 
place  to  place  at  a  moderate  price.  You  may  now  take 
the  diligence  for  the  Ohio,  or  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  as  in 
former  time  you  engaged  an  Indian  guide  or  interpreter. 
Cross  roads  branch  off  from  the  principal  roads,  and  are 
equally  provided  with  the  means  of  conveyance.  These 
jneans  are  almost  always  of  two  kinds,  for  as  there  are 
every  where  lakes  and  rivers,  you  may  travel  either  in 
row  boats,  sail  boats,  or  steam  vessels. 

Vessels  of  the  latter  class  make  regular  trips  from  Bos- 
ton and  New- York  to  New-Orleans  ;  they  are  likewise 
established  on  the  lakes  of  Canada,  the  Ontario,  the  Erie, 
the  Michigan,  the  Champlain  ;  on  those  lakes,  where, 
thirty  years  ago,  scarcely  the  canoes  of  the  savages  were 
to  be  seen,  and  where  ships  of  the  line  now  engage  one 
another. 

The  steam  vessels  of  the  United  States  are  not  only 
subservient  to  the  wants  of  commerce,  and  of  travellers, 
but  are  also  employed  for  the  defence  of  the  country ; 
some  of  them,  of  immense  size,  placed  at  the  mouth  "of 
rivers,  armed  with  cannon,  and  boiling  water,  resemble  at 
one  and  the  same  time,  modern  citadels  and  fortresses  of 
the  middle  ages. 

To  the  twenty-five  thousand  seven  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  miles  of  general  roads,  must  be  added  the  extent  of 
four  hundred  and  nineteen  district  roads,  and  of  fifty- 
eight  thousand  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  miles  of 
water-ways.  The  canals  increase  the  number  of-  the  lat- 
ter :  the  Middlesex  canal  joins  the  harbour  at  Boston  with 
the  Merrimack ;  the  Champlain  canal  forms  a  communica- 


442  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

tion  between  that  lake  and  the  Canadian  seas  ;  the  famous 
Erie  or  New-York  canal,  now  unites  Lake  Erie  and  the 
Atlantic ;  the  Santee,  Chesapeake,  and  Albemarle  canals, 
were  constructed  by  the  states  of  Carolina  and  Virginia ; 
and  as  broad  rivers,  running  in  different  directions,  ap- 
proach towards  their  sources,  nothing  was  easier  than  to 
connect  them  together.  Five  roads  to  the  Pacific  Ocean 
are  already  known ;  one  only  of  these  roads  passes 
through  the  Spanish  territory. 

A  law  of  congress,  passed  in  the  session  of  1824 — 5, 
directs  the  establishment  of  a  military  post  at  Oregon. 
The  Americans,  who  have  a  settlement  on  the  Columbia, 
can  thus  penetrate  to  the  great  ocean  by  a  zone  of  land 
nearly  six  degrees  in  breadth,  between  English,  Russian, 
and  Spanish  America. 

There  are,  nevertheless,  natural  limits  to  colonization. 
The  forests  to  the  north  and  west  of  the  Missouri,  are 
bounded  by  immense  steppes,  where  not  a  tree  is  to  be 
seen,  and  which  seem  to  be  unsusceptible  of  culture, 
though  grass  grows  abundantly  upon  them.  This  ver- 
dant Arabia  affords  a  passage  to  the  colonists  who  repair 
in  caravans  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  New-Mexico ;  it 
separates  the  United  States  of  the  Atlantic,  from  the 
United  States  of  the  South  Sea,  like  those  deserts,  which, 
in  the  old  world,  are  interposed  bet\veen  fertile  regions. 
An  American  has  offered  to  construct,  at  his  own  expense, 
a  solid  high  road  from  St.  Louis,  on  the  Mississippi,  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  if  congress  will  grant  him  a 
tract  ten  miles  in  depth,  on  either  side  of  the  road.  This 
gigantic  proposal  has  not  been  accepted. 

In  the  year  1789,  there  were  only  seventy-five  post 
offices  in  the  United  States ;  there  are  now  upwards  of 
seven  thousand.  From  1790  to  1795,  these  offices  in- 
creased from  seventy-five  to  four  hundred  and  fifty-three; 
in  1800  their  number  was  nine  hundred  and  three ;  in 
1805  they* amounted  to  fifteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight;  in 
1810  to  two  thousand  three  hundred ;  in  1817  to  three 
thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty-nine ;  in  1820  to  four 
thousand  and  thirty ;  in  1830  to  nearly  eight  thousand. 

Letters  and  packets  are  conveyed  by  mail  coaches, 
which  travel  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  miles 
a  day,  and  by  couriers,  on  horseback  and  on  foot. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  443 

Offices  for  the  sale  of  public  lands  are  opened  in  the 
states  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  in  the  territory  of  Michigan, 
Missouri,  and  Arkansas,  and  in  the  states  of  Louisiana, 
Mississippi,  and  Alabama.  It  is  computed  that  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  millions  of  acres  of  land  fit  for  cultivation, 
exclusively  of  the  soil  of  vast  forests,  yet  remain  to  be  dis- 
posed of.  These  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  acres  are 
estimated  to  be  worth  fifteen  hundred  millions  of  dollars, 
at  the  average  rate  of  ten  dollars  per  acre,  and  reckoning 
the  dollars  at  no  more  than  three  francs — a  very  low  cal- 
culation in  every  respect. 

We  find  twenty-five  military  posts  in  the  northern  states, 
and  twenty-two  in  the  southern. 

In  1790,  the  population  of  the  United  States  was 
3,929,326  souls;  in  1800,  it  was  5,305,666;  in  1810, 
7,239,300 ;  in  1820, 9,609,827.  This  last  number  includ- 
ed 1,581,436  slaves. 

The  population  of  the  United  States  has  increased  every 
ten  years,  from  1790  to  1820,  at  the  rate  of  thirty-five  per 
cent.  Eight  years  have  already  elapsed  of  the  ten,  which 
will  be  completed  in  1830,  when,  it  is  presumed,  the  popu- 
lation of  the  United  States  will  be  little  short  of  12,875,000 
souls  :  and  the  state  of  Ohio  will  have  850,000  inhabitants, 
and  that  of  Kentucky  750,000. 

If  the  population  were  to  go  on  doubling  every  twenty- 
five  years,  the  United  States  would  have,  in  1855,  a  popu- 
lation of  25,750,OCO  souls  ;  and  in  twenty-five  years  more, 
that  is  to  say,  in  1880,  that  population  would  exceed 
50,000,000. 

In  1821,  the  value  of  native  and  foreign  productions 
exported  from  the  United  States  amounted  to  the  sum  of 
64,974,382  dollars.  In  the  same  year  the  public  revenue 
was  14,264,000  dollars :  the  excess  of  the  receipts  be- 
yond the  expenditure  was  3,334,826  dollars.  In  the  same 
year,  also,  the  national  debt  was  reduced  to  89,204,235 
dollars. 

The  army  has  sometimes  been  raised  to  one  hundred 
thousand  men:  and  the  navy  of  the  United  States  is  com- 
posed of  eleven  sail  of  the  line,  nine  frigates,  and  fifty 
other  ships  of  various  sizes. 

It  is  superfluous  to  say  any  thing  concerning  the  con- 


444  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

etitutions  of  the  different  states ;  it  is  sufficient  to  know 
that  they  are  all  free. 

There  is  no  predominant  religion,  but  every  citizen  is 
expected  to  conform  to  some  mode  of  Christian  worship. 
The  catholic  religion  is  making  considerable  progress  in 
the  western  states. 

Supposing,  which  I  believe  to  be  the  case,  that  the* 
statistical  summaries  published  by  the  United  States  an 
exaggerated  by  the  national  vanity,  still  there  will  be  left 
a  total  of  prosperity  well  worthy  of  our  highest  admi- 
ration. 

To  complete  this  astonishing  picture,  we  must  figure  t(? 
ourselves  cities  like  Boston,  New-York,  Philadelphia,  Bal 
timore  Savannah,  New-Orleans,  lighted  at  night,  filled 
with  horses  and  carriages,  offering  all  the  gratifications  oi 
luxury,  brought  to  their  ports  by  thousands  of  ships  ;  wt 
must  figure  to  ourselves  the  lakes  of  Canada,  formerly  sc 
solitary,  now  covered  with  frigates,  brigs,  cutters,  boats, 
steam  vessels,  intermixed  with  the  canoes  of  the  Indians, 
as  the  large  ships  and  galleys  are  with  pinks,  sloops,  and 
caiques,  in  the  waters  of  the  Bosphorus.  Churches  and 
houses,  embellished  with  columns  of  Grecian  architecture, 
rise  from  amidst  these  forests,  and  on  the  banks  of  these 
rivers,  the  ancient  ornaments  of  (ike  wilderness.  Add  to 
these,  spacious  colleges,  observatories,  erected  for  science 
in  the  abode  of  savage  ignorance  ;  all  religions,  all  opi- 
nions, dwelling  together  in  peace,  labouring  in  concert 
for  the  melioration  of  the  human  race,  and  the  develope- 
ment  of  the  human  understanding.  Such  are  the  prodi- 
gies of  liberty. 

The  Abbe  Raynal  offered  a  prize  for  a  solution  of  the 
question  :  "  What  influence  will  the  discovery  of  the 
New  World  have  upon  the  Old  World." 

Writers  lost  themselves  in  calculations  relative  to  the 
exportation  and  importation  of  the  precious  metals,  the 
depopulation  of  Spain,  the  increase  of  commerce,  the 
improvement  of  the  navy :  nobody,  as  far  as  I  know, 
sought  the  influence  of  the  discovery  of  America  upon 
Europe,  in  the  establishment  of  the  American  republics. 
They  figured  to  themselves  the  old  monarchies  continu- 
ing in  much  the  same  state  as  thev  then  were,  society  sta- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  445 

tionary,  the  human  mind  neither  advancing  nor  retrogra- 
ding ;  they  had  not  the  least  idea  of  the  revolution  which, 
in  the  space  of  twenty  years,  has  taken  place  in  opinions. 

The  most  valuable  of  the  treasures  which  America  con- 
tains within  her  bosom  is  liberty;  every  nation  is  called 
to  work  this  inexhaustible  mine.  The  discovery  of  the 
representative  republic  by  the  United  States,  is  one  of 
the  greatest  political  events  that  ever  occurred.  This 
event  proves,  as  T  have  elsewhere  observed,  that  there  are 
two  practicable  kinds  of  liberty  ;  the  one  belonging  to  the 
infancy  of  nations,  the  offspring  of  manners  and  virtue, 
the  liberty  of  the  first  Greeks  and  of  the  first  Romans, 
and  the  liberty  of  the  savages  of  America ;  the  other,  born 
in  the  old  age  of  nations,  the  offspring  of  knowledge  and 
reason,  the  liberty  of  the  United  States,  which  has  super- 
seded the  liberty  of  the  Indian.  Happy  country,  which, 
in  less  than  three  centuries,  has  passed  from  one  liberty 
to  the  other,  almost  without  effort,  and  by  means  of  a  con 
test  which  lasted  only  eight  years  ! 

Will  America  preserve  this  last  kind  of  liberty  ?  Will 
there  not  be  a  division  of  the  United  States?  May  we 
not  already  perceive  the  germs  of  these  divisions  ?  Has 
not  a  representative  of  Virginia  already  supported  the 
thesis  of  the  ancient  Greek  and  Roman  liberty,  with  the 
systems  of  slavery,  against  a  deputy  of  Massachusetts, 
who  advocated  the  cause  of  modern  liberty  without  slaves, 
such  as  Christianity  has  made  it  ? 

Will  not  the  western  states,  extending  themselves  far- 
ther and  farther,  and  being  too  remote  from  the  Atlantic 
states,  be  desirous  of  having  a  government  to  themselves  ? 

Lastly,  are  the  Americans  a  perfect  people  ?  have  .they 
not  their  vices  like  other  men  ?  are  they  morally  superior 
to  the  English,  from  whom  they  derive  their  origin? 
Will  not  the  tide  of  foreign  emigration,  incessantly  pour- 
ing upon  them  from  all  parts  of  Europe,  eventually  de- 
stroy the  homogeneousness  of  their  race  ?  Will  not  the 
mercantile  spirit  gain  ascendency?  Is  not  self-interest 
beginning  to  be  a  predominant  national  defect  among 
them  ? 

We  are  also  obliged  to  confess  with  pain,  that  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  republics  of  Mexico,  Colombia,  Peru, 
38 


446  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

Chili,  and  Buenos  Ayres,  is  pregnant  with  danger  to  the 
United  States.  While  the  latter  had  about  them  nothing 
but  the  colonies  of  a  transatlantic  kingdom,  war  was  not 
probable. 

May  not  rivalships  now  spring  up  between  the  old  re- 
publics of  North  America,  and  the  new  republics  of  Span- 
ish America  ?  Will  not  the  latter  interdict  alliance  with 
European  powers  ?  If  both  sides  should  have  recourse 
to  arms — if  the  military  spirit  should  take  possession  of 
the  United  States,  a  great  captain  might  arise ;  glory 
loves  crowns ;  soldiers  are  but  brilliant  forgers  of  chains, 
and  liberty  is  not  sure  of  preserving  its  patrimony  under 
the  guardianship  of  victory. 

Let  what  will  happen,  liberty  will  never  be  entirely 
banished  from  America ;  and  here  it  is  right  to  specify  one 
of  the  great  advantages  possessed  by  liberty,  the  offspring 
of  manners. 

Liberty,  the  offspring  of  manners,  perishes  when  its 
principle  deteriorates,  and  it  is  in  the  nature  of  manners 
to  deteriorate  with  time. 

Liberty,  the  offspring  of  manners,  begins  before  des- 
potism, in  the  days  of  poverty  and  obscurity  :  it  is  lost  in 
despotism,  and  in  ages  of  glory  and  luxury. 

Liberty,  the  offspring  of  knowledge,  shines  after  ages 
of  oppression  and  corruption ;  it  advances  with  the  prin- 
ciple which  preserves  and  renews  it,  the  knowledge  of 
which  it  is  the  effect,  instead  of  becoming  feeble  with 
time,  like  the  manners  which  gave  birth  to  the  first  liberty 
— knowledge,  I  say,  grows  stronger  on  the  contrary  with 
time ;  thus,  it  forsakes  not  the  liberty  which  it  has  pro- 
duced ;  constantly  about  that  liberty,  it  is  at  once  its  ge- 
nerative virtue  and  its  inexhaustible  source. 

To  conclude — the  United  States  have  one  safeguard 
more ;  their  population  does  not  occupy  an  eighteenth 
part  of  their  territory.  America  still  dwells  in  the  wil- 
derness ;  for  a  long  time  to  come,  her  deserts  will  be  her 
manners,  and  knowledge  her  liberty. 

RELIGION. — The  consequences  resulting  from  the  en- 
joyment of  religious  liberty  have  been  highly  favourable. 
Free  discussion  has  enlightened  the  ignorant,  disarmed 
superstition  of  its  dreadful  powers,  and  consigned  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  447 

oblivion  many  erroneous  and  fantastic  creeds.  Religious 
oppression,  and  the  vindictive  feelings  it  arouses,  are 
hardly  known.  Catholics  and  Protestants  live  together 
in  harmony ;  and  Protestants  who  disagree,  employ,  in 
defending  their  own  doctrines,  and  in  assailing  those 
of  their  antagonists,  the  weapons  only  of  reason  and 
eloquence. 

In  the  New-England  states,  the  independents,  or  con- 
gregationalists,  constitute  the  most  numerous  denomina- 
tion-; in  the  middle  states,  the  Presbyterians  ;  and,  in  the 
southern,  the  Methodists.  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  and 
Roman  Catholics,  are  found  in  all  the  states ;  but,  in  Ma- 
ryland and  Louisiana,  the  Catholics  are  more  numerous 
than  elsewhere.  Each  of  these  sects  has  one  or  more 
seminaries  of  learning,  in  which  its  peculiar  doctrines 
are  taught,  and  young  men  are  educated  for  the  ministry. 
Many  other  sects  exist,  but  reason,  less  tolerant  than  the 
laws,  is  gradually  diminishing  the  number. 

AGRICULTURE  in  1820. — The  number  of  persons  en- 
gaged in  agriculture  was  2,870,646.  The  value  of  all  its 
products  exported  during  the  year  ending  the  30th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1823,  was  37,646,000  dollars.  The  principal 
articles  were,  cotton  to  the  value  of  20,445,000  dollars ; 
flour  to  the  value  of  4,962,000  dollars  ;  tobacco  to  the 
value  of  4,852,000  dollars;  and  rice  to  the  value  of 
1,821,000  dollars.  The  value  of  provisions  of  all  kinds 
exported,  was  13,460,000  dollars,  and  it  has,  in  many 
years,  been  greater.  A  people  able  to  spare  such  an 
amount  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  can  never  be  in  danger 
of  suffering  from  want. 

COMMERCE. — The  state  of  the  world,  for  several  years 
subsequent  to  the  commencement  of  the  French  revolu- 
tion, offered  great  encouragement  to  the  commercial  en- 
terprise of  the  country.  While  almost  every  other  power 
was  engaged  in  war,  the  United  States  were  neutral ; 
their  vessels  navigated  the  ocean  in  safety,  and  were  em- 
ployed to  carry,  from  port  to  port,  the  commodities  of  the 
belligerent  nations.  In  fifteen  years,  beginning  with 
1793,  these  favourable  circumstances  increased  the  amount 
of  American  tonnage  from  491,000  to  1,242,000  tons,  and 


448  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  revenue  arising  from  commerce,  from  4,399,000  to 
16,363,000  dollars. 

In  1820,  the  number  of  persons  engaged  in  commerce 
was  72,493.  In  1823,  the  whole  amount  of  exports 
was  74,799,000  dollars ;  the  amount  of  imports  was 
77,579,000  dollars,  the  balance  in  favour  of  the  United 
States  being  about  three  millions  of  dollars.  As  the  im- 
ports, however,  are  always  undervalued  at  the  custom 
house,  the  additional  wealth,  which,  in  that  year,  accrued 
to  the  nation  from  commerce,  was  undoubtedly  greater. 

In  other  years,  the  commerce  of  the  country  has  flourish- 
ed more.  *In  1807,  the  exports  amounted  to  108,343,000 
dollars,  and  the  imports  to  138,574,000  dollars.  The 
principal  causes  of  the  decline  which  has  taken  place, 
have  been,  the  restoration  of  peace  in  Europe,  and  the 
increase  of  the  product  of  domestic  manufactures.  The 
former  has  permitted  all  other  nations  to  become  our 
competitors;  the  latter  has  rendered  it  unnecessary  to 
resort  to  Europe  for  most  of  the  conveniences,  and  many 
of  the  luxuries  of  life.  The  depression  will  not  long 
continue.  The  independence  of  the  South  American 
republics,  has  opened  a  wide  field  for  the  enterprise  of 
our  merchants,  and  given  a  brighter  hue  to  their  future 
prospects. 

DEBT,  REVENUE,  AND  EXPENDITURES. — When,  in  1790, 
the  public  debt  was  first  funded,  it  amounted  to  about 
75,000,000  of  dollars.  In  1803,  by  the  purchase  of 
Louisiana,  it  was  augmented  to  about  85,500,000.  In  the 
eight  years  which  followed,  a  large  amount  was  paid, 
leaving  due,  in  1812,  but  little  more  than  45,000,000.  To 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  war,  which  was  declared  in 
that  year,  more  than  80,000,000  of  new  debt  was  con- 
tracted. A  large  portion  has  since  been  paid,  and,  on  the 
first  day  of  January,  1823,  the  amount  of  it  was 
90,865,877  dollars. 

The  present  revenue  of  the  republic  is  derived  princi- 
pally from  commerce,  and  from  the  sale  of  public  lands. 
In  1822,  there  accrued  from  the  former  source,  the  sum 
of  20,500,775  dollars ;  from  the  latter  source,  1,803,581  ; 
and  from  other  sources,  839,084.  The  amount,  however, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  449 

which  was  actually  received,  during  the  year,  was  but 
20,232,427. 

The  expenditures  during  the  same  year,  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Civil,  diplomatic,  and  miscellaneous,  1,967,996; 
for  the  pay  and  support  of  the  army,  the  construction  of 
forts,  the  supply  of  arms,  the  payment  of  pensions,  and 
the  various  expenses  of  the  Indian  department,  &,  635, 188 ; 
for  the  support  and  increase  of  the  navy,  2,224,458 ;  for 
the  payment  of  the  interest,  and  for  the  redemption  of  that 
portion  of  the  principal  of  the  debt  which  became  due 
within  the  year,  7,848,949 ;  amounting  in  the  whole  to 
17,676,591,  and  leaving  an  excess  of  revenue  over  expen- 
diture of  2,555,836  dollars. 

Great  Britain  may  be  taken  as  a  favourable  example 
of  the  European  governments.  The  people  of  that  king- 
dom pay,  annually,  for  the  support  of  their  sovereign  and 
his  relatives,  nearly  two  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars, 
while  the  compensation  of  the  president  of  the  United 
States  is  but  twenty-five  thousand.  In  the  salaries  of  the 
subordinate  officers  of  government,  the  disproportion  is 
not  so  great,  but  is  generally,  nevertheless,  as  four  or  five 
to  one. 

The  military  peace  establishment  of  Great  Britain  costs 
annually  thirty-four  millions  of  dollars  ;  that  of  the  United 
States  but  little  more  than  five  millions.  The  naval  es- 
tablishment of  the  former  costs  twenty-two  millions ;  that 
of  the  latter  less  than  two  and  a  half  millions.  British 
subjects  pay  in  taxes,  raised  exclusively  for  national 
purposes,  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  dollars  yearly  for  each 
individual ;  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  pay,  in  na- 
tional and  state  taxes,  at  the  rate  of  b^t  two  dollars.  And 
as  the  whole  population  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  is 
included  in  the  estimate,  the  individual  wealth  of  the  sub- 
jects of  the  united  kingdom,  and  of  the  citizens  of  the 
American  republic,  may  on  an  average,  be  considered 
nearly  equal. 

On  the  fourth  of  March,  A.  D.  1829,  Andrew  Jackson 
took  the  oath  of  office  as  president  of  the  United  States, 
for  the  term  of  four  years,  and  John  C.  Calhoun  vice 
president — our  country  being  in  a  very  prosperous  and 
flourishing  state,  the  national  debt  being  greatly  decreased, 

38* 


450  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  things  in  general  wore  a  very  pleasing  appearance. 
The  nation  is  tranquil,  and  remains  unmoved.  The  con- 
stitution and  laws  of  our  country  do  not  rest  on  the  point 
of  mercenary  bayonets,  and  freedom  of  sentiment  makes 
up  the  moral  power  which  is,  at  once,  the  envy  and  won- 
der of  the  world. 

The  following  is  the  Inaugural  Address  of  General  An- 
drew Jackson,  on  being  sworn  into  the  office  of  President 
of  the  United  States. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS  :  About  to  undertake  the  arduous 
duties  that  I  have  been  appointed  to  perform,  by  the 
choice  of  a  free  people,  I  avail  myself  of  this  customary 
and  solemn  occasion,  to  express  the  gratitude  which 
their  confidence  inspires,  and  to  acknowledge  the  ac- 
countability which  my  situation  enjoins.  While  the 
magnitude  of  their  interests  convinces  me  that  no  thanks 
can  be  adequate  to  the  honour  they  have  conferred,  it  ad- 
monishes me  that  the  best  return  I  can  make,  is  the  zeal- 
ous dedication  of  my  humble  abilities  to  their  service  and 
their  good. 

As  the  instrument  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  it  will 
devolve  on  me,  for  a  stated  period,  to  execute  the  laws  of 
the  United  States ;  to  superintend  their  foreign  and  their 
confederate  relations ;  to  manage  their  revenue ;  to  com- 
mand their  forces  ;  and,  by  communications  to  the  legisla- 
ture, to  watch  over  and  promote  their  interests  generally. 
And  the  principles  of  action  by  which  I  shall  endeavour 
to  accomplish  this  circle  of  duties,  it  is  now  proper  for 
me  briefly  to  explain. 

In  administering  the  laws  of  congress,  I  shall  keep 
steadily  in  view  the  limitations  as  well  as  the  extent  of 
the  executive  power,  trusting  thereby  to  discharge  the 
functions  of  my  office  without  transcending  its  authority. 
With  foreign  nations  it  will  be  my  study  to  preserve 
peace,  and  to  cultivate  friendship  on  fair  and  honourable 
terms ;  and  in  the  adjustment  of  any  difference  that  may 
exist  or  arise,  to  exhibit  the  forbearance  becoming  a  pow- 
erful nation,  rather  than  the  sensibility  belonging  to  a  gal- 
lant people. 

In  such  measures  as  I  may  be  called  on  to  pursue,  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  451 

regard  to  the  rights  of  the  separate  states,  I  hope  to  be 
animated  by  a  proper  respect  for  those  sovereign  mem- 
bers of  our  Union  ;  taking  care  not  to  confound  the  pow- 
ers they  have  reserved  to- themselves,  with  those  they  have 
granted  to  the  confederacy. 

The  management  of  the  public  revenue,  that  searching 
operation  in  all  governments,  is  among  the  most  delicate 
and  important  trusts  in  ours ;  and  it  will,  of  course,  de- 
mand no  inconsiderable  share  of  my  official  solicitude. 
Under  every  aspect  in  which  it  can  be  considered,  it  would 
appear  that  advantage  must  result  from  the  observance 
of  a  strict  and  faithful  economy.  This  I  shall  aim  at  the 
more  anxiously,  both  because  it  will  facilitate  the  extin- 
guishment of  the  national  debt,  the  unnecessary  duration 
of  which  is  incompatible  with  real  independence;  and 
because  it  will  counteract  the  tendency  to  public  and  pri- 
vate profligacy,  which  a  profuse  expenditure  of  money 
by  the  government,  is  but  too  apt  to  engender.  Power- 
ful auxiliaries  to  the  attainment  of  this  desirable  end,  are 
to  be  found  in  the  regulations  provided  by  the  wisdom  of 
congress,  for  the  specific  appropriation  of  public  money, 
and  the  prompt  accountability  of  public  officers. 

With  regard  to  a  proper  selection  of  the  subjects  of 
impost,  with  a  view  to  revenue,  it  would  seem  to  me  that 
the  spirit  of  equity,  caution,  and  compromise,  in  which 
the  constitution  was  formed,  requires  that  the  great  inte- 
rests of  agriculture,  commerce,  and  manufactures,  should 
be  equally  favoured ;  and  that,  perhaps,  the  only  excep- 
tion to  this  rule,  should  consist  in  the  peculiar  encourage- 
ment of  any  products  of  either  of  them  that  may  be  found 
essential  to  our  national  independence. 

Internal  improvement,  and  the  diffusion  of  knowledge, 
so  far  as  they  can  be  promoted  by  the  constitutional  acts 
of  the  federal  government,  are  of  high  importance. 

Considering  standing  armies  as  dangerous  to  free  go- 
vernments, in  time  of  peace,  I  shall  not  seek  to  enlarge 
our  present  establishment,  nor  disregard  that  salutary  les- 
son of  political  experience,  which  teaches  that  the  mili- 
tary should  be  held  subordinate  to  the  civil  power.  The 
gradual  increase  of  our  navy,  whose  flag  has  displayed, 
in  distant  climes,  our  skill  in  navigation,  and  our  fame  in 


452  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

arms  ;  the  preservation  of  our  forts,  arsenals,  and  dock- 
yards, and  the  introduction  of  progressive  improvements 
in  the  discipline  and  science  of  both  branches  of  our  mi- 
litary service,  are  so  plainly  prescribed  by  prudence,  that 
I  should  be  excused  for  omitting  their  mention,  sooner 
than  for  enlarging  on  their  importance.  But  the  bulwark 
of  our  defence  is  the  national  militia,  which,  in  the  pre- 
sent state  of  our  intelligence  and  population,  must  render 
us  invincible.  As  long  as  our  government  is  adminis- 
tered for  the  good  of  the  people,  and  is  regulated  by 
their  will — as  long  as  it  secures  to  us  the  rights  of  person 
and  of  property,  liberty  of  conscience,  and  of  the  press, 
it  will  be  worth  defending;  and  so  long  as  it  is  worth  de- 
fending, a  patriotic  militia  will  cover  it  with  an  impene- 
trable (Rgis.  Partial  injuries,  and  occasional  mortifica- 
tions we  may  be  subjected  to,  but  a  million  of  armed 
freemen,  possessed  of  the  means  of  war,  can  never  be 
conquered  by  a  foreign  foe.  To  any  just  system,  there- 
fore, calculated  to  strengthen  this  natural  safeguard  of  the 
country,  I  shall  cheerfully  lend  all  the  aid  in  my  power. 

It  will  be  my  sincere  and  constant  desire  to  observe 
towards  the  Indian  tribes  within  our  limits  a  just  and  libe- 
ral policy ;  and  to  give  that  humane  and  considerate  at- 
tention to  their  rights  and  their  wants,  which  are  consist- 
ent with  the  habits  of  our  government,  and  the  feelings 
of  our  people. 

The  recent  demonstration  of  public  sentiment  inscribes, 
on  the  list  of  executive  duties,  in  characters  too  legible 
to  be  overlooked,  the  task  of  reform  ;  which  will  require 
particularly  the  correction  of  those  abuses  that  have 
brought  the  patronage  of  the  Federal  government  into 
conflict  with  the  freedom  of  elections,  and  the  counterac- 
tion of  those  causes  which  have  disturbed  the  rightful 
course  of  appointment,  and  have  placed  or  continued 
power  in  unfaithful  or  incompetent  hands. 

In  the  performance  of  a  task  thus  generally  delineated, 
I  shall  endeavour  to  select  men  whose  diligence  and 
talents  will  ensure,  in  their  respective  stations,  able  and 
faithful  co-operation  ;  depending,  for  the  advancement  of 
the  public  service,  more  on  the  integrity  of  the  public  offi- 
cers, than  on  their  numbers. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  453 

A  diffidence,  perhaps  too  just,  in  my  own  qualifications, 
will  teach  me  to  look  with  reverence  to  the  examples  of 
public  virtue  left  by  my  illustrious  predecessors,  and  with 
veneration  to  the  lights  that  flow  from  the  mind  that 
founded,  and  the  mind  that  reformed  our  system.  The 
same  diffidence  induces  me  to  hope  for  instruction  and 
aid  from  the  co-ordinate  branches  of  the  government, 
and  for  the  indulgence  and  support  of  my  fellow  citizens 
generally.  And  a  firm  reliance  on  the  goodness  of  that 
Power  whose  Providence  mercifully  protected  our  na- 
tional infancy,  and  has  since  upheld  our  liberties  in 
various  vicissitudes,  encourages  me  to  offer  up  my  ardent 
supplications,  that  he  will  continue  to  make  our  beloved 
country  the  object  of  his  divine  care,  and  gracious  bene- 
diction. 

Washington,  4th  March,  1829. 
GENERAL  ANDREW  JACKSON — 

SIR  :  We,  a  few  of  the  surviving  officers  and  soldiers 
of  the  army  of  the  revolution,  now  convened  at  this  place, 
most  respectfully  solicit  the  honour  of  forming  your 
escort  to  the  capitol,  where  you  are  about  to  be  inaugu- 
rated as  president  of  the  United  States. 

Former  events,  and  our  advanced  ages,  preclude  the 
idea  that  this  is  designed  to  be  a  military  pageant ;  no,  sir, 
it  is  far  otherwise ;  having  fought  in  the  defence  of  the 
sacred  rights  of  man,  and  for  the  liberty,  sovereignty,  and 
independence  of  these  United  States,  now  happily  bound 
together,  as  we  fondly  hope,  by  an  indissoluble  chain,  we 
feel  desirous  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  opportunity  of  being 
present  when  the  guardianship  of  these  invaluable  bene- 
fits shall  be  deposited  in  your  hands. 

The  valour,  the  judgment,  the  independence  of  mind,  the 
prudence,  the  firmness,  and  the  true  patriotism  of  our 
great  commander,  Washington,  led  us  triumphantly 
through  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  nation  through 
the  first  periods  of  the  federal  constitution  ;  and  we  have 
entire  confidence  that  the  exercise  of  the  same  transcen- 
dent virtues,  will,  under  God,  preserve  inviolate  our 
liberties,  independence,  and  union,  during  your  adminis- 
tration— and  it  is  our  most  ardent  prayer  that  they  may 
be  perpetual — may  your  days  be  long  and  happy — may 


454  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

increasing  honours  multiply  on  your  head — and,  like  your 
first  predecessor,  may  you  add  a  civic  monument  to  your 
martial  glory  ;  and,  like  his,  may  they  be  imperishable. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  highest  respect, 
your  most  obedient  servants,  William  Polk,  chairman — 
John  Nicholas,  Aaron  Ogden,  Abraham  Broom,  Robert 
Boiling,  Elnathan  Sears,  Robert  Kaene,  J.  Woodsides, 
Philip  Stewart,  Armistead  Long,  Jno.  M.  Taylor,  John 
Browne  Cutting,  Caleb  Stark,  William  Gamble,  Jacob 
Gideon,  sen. 

To  this  address  the  president  made  the  following 
reply : 

Respected  friends — Your  affectionate  address  awakens 
sentiments  and  recollections  which  I  feel  with  sincerity, 
and  cherish  with  pride.  To  have  around  my  person,  at 
the  moment  of  undertaking  the  most  solemn  of  all  duties 
to  my  country,  the  companions  of  the  immortal  Wash- 
ington, will  afford  me  satisfaction,  and  grateful  encou- 
ragement. That,  by  my  best  exertions,  I  shall  be  able  to 
exhibit  more  than  an  imitation  of  his  patriotic  labours,  a 
sense  of  my  own  imperfection,  and  the  reverence  I  en- 
tertain for  his  virtues,  forbid  me  to  hope. 

To  you,  respected  friends,  the  survivors  of  that  heroic 
band,  who  followed  him  so  long,  and  so  valiantly,  in  the 
path  of  glory,  I  offer  my  sincere  thanks,  and  to  heaven 
my  prayers,  that  your  remaining  years  may  be  as  happy 
as  your  toils  and  your  lives  have  been  illustrious. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

The  following  shows  the  rank  which  the  persons  above 
named  held  at  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war. 

William  Polk,  colonel,  North  Carolina  ;  John  Nicholas, 
lieutenant  colonel,  Virginia  ;  Aaron  Ogden,  captain,  New- 
Jersey;  Robert  Boiling,  captain,  Virginia;  William  Gam- 
ble, major,  New-Jersey  ;  Philip  Stewart,  lieutenant,  Virgi- 
nia; Caleb  Stark,  lieutenant,  and  D.  C.  N.  Hampshire ;  Jno. 
M.  Taylor,  lieut.  colonel,  Penn. ;  Abraham  Broom,  lieut., 
Maryland  ;  Elnathan  Sears,  lieut.,  New-York  ;  Absolom 
Baker,  private,  S.  Carolina ;  Jacob  Gideon,  private,  Vir- 
ginia ;  Armistead  Long,  private,  Virginia  cavalry. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  455 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  U.  S.  on  Feb.  21, 
the  following-  Report  was  made : 

The  committee  on  roads  and  canals,  to  which  was  re- 
ferred the  memorial  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail  road 
company,  Report, 

That  this  company  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the 
legislature  of  Maryland,  in  February,  1827,  which  has 
since  been  confirmed  by  the  staters  of  Virginia  and  Penn- 
sylvania, through  which  it  is  supposed  the  road  will  pass 
hi  its  progress  to  the  Ohio  river.  The  company  was  or- 
ganized in  April,  1827. — The  capital  stock  of  the  com- 
pany consists  of  four  millions  of  dollars,  three  of  which 
have  been  subscribed  by  private  individuals,  and  the 
fourth  by  the  state  of  Maryland  and  the  city  of  Baltimore. 
On  this  stock  there  has  been  paid,  by  instalments,  seven 
and  a  half  per  centum,  and  a  further  call  of  2  1-2  per  cen- 
tum, payable  on  the  10th  of  March  next,  has  been  in  a 
great  measure  anticipated. 

The  execution  of  the  work  was  commenced  on  the  4th 
of  July  last,  and  has  progressed  with  unusual  spirit  and 
activity.  The  graduation  and  bridging  of  twenty-five 
miles  of  the  most  expensive  and  difficult  part  of  the  route 
is  under  active  operation,  and  is  in  a  successful  train  of 
execution.  An  improved  rail  road  car  of  recent  inven- 
tion, has  been  put  in  operation  on  the  temporary  rail- 
ways constructed  for  the  removal  of  earth  for  the  gradu- 
ation of  the  road,  which  promises  the  most  important  and 
beneficial  results  in  the  diminution  of  the  power  necessary 
for  the  transportation  of  heavy  burdens  on  rail  roads. 
The  highest  estimate  made  of  the  cost  of  this  work  has 
been  $20,000  per  mile,  and  the  experience  of  the  com- 
pany, we  are  assured,  proves  that  it  cannot  exceed  and  will 
most  probably  fall  short  of  this  sum.  The  distance  from 
the  city  of  Baltimore  to  the  River  Ohio  may  vary  from 
300  to  350  miles,  so  that  the  whole  cost  of  executing  this 
magnificent  enterprise  will  not  perhaps  exceed  seven  mil- 
lions of  dollars. 

The  committee  believe  that  this  work,  if  successfully 
executed,  will  greatly  promote  the  interests  of  the  union, 
and  will  be  of  national  importance  in  reference  to  our 
great  military  and  commercial  operations,  and  as  a  means 


456  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

for  the  sale  and  speedy  transmission  of  the  mail.  Indi- 
viduals who  have  acquired  their  estates  by  industry  and 
prudence,  have  invested  millions  in  the  stock  of  this  com- 
pany. Associated  with  the  venerable  name  of  Charles 
Carroll,  of  Carrollton,  are  found  the  names  of  many  gen- 
tlemen of  wealth,  high  character,  and  great  enterprise. 
It  can  hardly  be  thought  necessary  for  the  committee  to 
enter  into  a  long  argument  or  statistical  detail  of  facts,  to 
prove  the  advantages  which  will  be  derived  from  the  suc- 
cessful completion  of  this  work.  When  we  advert  to  the 
various  agricultural  productions  of  the  great  sections  of 
our  country  to  be  connected  by  this  road, — to  their  ex- 
haustless  mines  of  iron  and  coal, — their  forests  and  quar- 
ries, and  to  the  amount  of  foreign  and  domestic  merchan- 
dise necessary  for  their  supply,  no  doubt  can  be  enter- 
tained but  that  the  interest  of  the  nation  requires  that  the 
facilities  of  transportation  between  them,  should  be  in- 
creased by  every  practicable  means. 

When  corporations  arid  individuals  go  before  us  in  the 
execution  of  works,  truly  national  in  their  character  and 
objects,  this  government  will  not  withhold  its  aid  when 
we  thus  most  effectually  promote  the  diffusion  of  intelli- 
gence, secure  the  rapid  movement  and  concentration  of 
troops  and  military  stores  in  war,  extend  the  commerce  of 
the  states,  and  give  permanency  to  the  union.  We  should 
be  urged  to  aid  in  that  and  similar  works,  when  assured 
of  their  practicability  from  the  consideration  that  the  ter- 
ritory which  will  soon  contain  more  than  half  the  states 
in  the  union  is  separated  from  the  seat  of  the  national  go- 
vernment, by  a  rough  and  mountainous  region,  over  which 
we  have  not  constructed  even  a  road  on  which  we  can 
with  any  reasonable  safety  and  expedition  transmit  the 
mail,  or  convey  to  our  Atlantic  cities  the  rich  and  various 
productions  of'the  west. 

The  committee  have  witnessed  with  regret  the  legal 
controversy  which  unfortunately  exists  between  the  rail- 
road company,  and  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  com- 
pany, and  which  they  believe  might  easily  be  settled  to 
the  mutual  interest  of  the  parties,  by  the  cultivation  of  a 
proper  spirit,  and  a  disposition  to  promote,  by  the  most 
efficient  means,  the  great  interests  of  the  country,  inde- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  467 

pendent  of  local  jealousies  and  competition.  In  the  fa- 
vourable views  entertained  of  the  proposed  rail-road,  the 
committee  have  not  lost  sight  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
canal,  of  which  congress  has  expressed  its  decided  appro- 
bation by  various  acts,  and  for  the  construction  of  which 
a  liberal  appropriation  has  been  made ;  nor  in  any  aid  by 
which  they  propose  to  quicken  the  energies  of  the  asso- 
ciation, would  they  in  any  manner  compromit  the  inte- 
rests of  the  other.  It  has  been  suggested,  that  the  right 
acquired  by  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  company,  to 
construct  a  rail-road  from  Cumberland,  across  the  moun- 
tains to  the  west,  precludes  the  rail-road  company  from 
constructing  a  similar  work,  under  their  subsequent  char- 
ter, between  the  same  points.  While  the  committee  do 
not,  at  this  time,  feel  themselves  called  upon  to  express 
any  opinion  upon  this  question,  it  is,  perhaps,  not  to  be 
regretted,  that  the  delay  induced  by  other  causes  will 
afford  ample  opportunities  for  such  surveys  and  examina 
tions  to  be  made,  as  shall  demonstrate  the  practicability 
or  inexpediency  of  these  works  in  a  manner  satisfactory 
to  the  respective  companies,  and  thus  conduce  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  public ;  and  should  the  result  of  such  ex- 
aminations, and  the  experience  which  time  will  bring  with 
it,  prove  unfavourable  to  the  plans  and  objects  of  either 
company,  an  additional  incentive  to  those  already  men- 
tioned, will  be  presented  for  an  union  of  interests  and 
operations  between  all  parties,  by  which  will  be  attained, 
with  still  greater  certainty,  the  great  object — a  communi- 
cation between  the  eastern  and  navigable  waters. 

In  examining  the  charter  of  the  rail-road  company,  the 
committee  are  aware,  tha-t  the  provision  prohibiting  any 
other  company  or  person  from  travelling  upon,  or  using 
any  of  the  roads  of  the  company  without  its  license, 
seems  to  render  it  obnoxious  to  the  charge  of  a  close 
monopoly ;  but  they  have  considered,  that  in  the  trans- 
portation of  all  property  on  the  railway,  wagons  of  a 
particular  and  uniform  construction  only  must  be  used, 
each  having  a  proper  adaptation  to  the  rail,  and  that  this 
consideration,  with  others  which  might  be  given,  may  re- 
quire such  a  provision  in  the  charter — the  committee  see 
no  cause  of  alarm  from  this  restriction.  The  interests  o 

39 


458  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OP 

the  company  will,  at  all  times,  be  best  promoted  by  con- 
sulting that  of  the  public.  Time  and  experience  will  dis- 
close the  methods  by  which  the  great  and  paramount  in- 
terests of  the  community  can  be  most  effectually  sub- 
served, and  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  patriotic 
views  which  prompted  this  undertaking,  will  lead  to  the 
adoption  of  such  regulations  as  shall  prove  best  calcu- 
aled  to  secure  a  safe,  cheap,  and  speedy  communication. 
When  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,  and  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  rail-road,  shall  both  have  been  completed 
to  the  point  of  their  junction  below  Harper's  Ferry,  the 
relative  advantages  of  each  will  be  fully  demonstrated, 
and  no  doubt  is  entertained  by  the  committee,  but  that 
their  interests  may  be  harmonized.  The  common  object 
of  both,  by  which  the  great  interests  of  the  nation  are  to 
be  advanced,  is  to  open  the  best  practicable  communica- 
tion between  the  Chesapeake  Bay  and  the  great  valley  of 
the  Mississippi.  The  hope  is  entertained,  that  these  com- 
panies will  co-operate  in  effecting,  by  their  united  means, 
this  great  enterprise,  in  which  the  prosperity  of  the  whole 
nation  is  so  deeply  involved.  If  experience  shall  justify 
the  opinion,  that  the  rail-road  will  furnish  greater  practi- 
cal advantages  than  the  canal,  the  committee  would  cheer- 
fully recommend  a  liberal  appropriation  to  the  stock  of 
the  company,  but  as  the  completion  of  apart  of  the  work 
before  the  next  session,  will,  it  is  hoped,  realize  in  its 
advantages  the  wishes  and  expectations  of  the  company, 
the  committee  defer  reporting  a  bill,  or  substituting  any 
proposition  on  the  subject,  at  this  late  period  of  the  ses- 
sion. They  are  the  more  readily  reconciled  to  this  delay, 
(the  result  of  necessity,)  from  the  circumstance  that  this 
enterprising  association,  proceeding,  as  they  appear  to 
have  done,  with  a  caution  proportioned  to  the  magnitude 
of  the  undertaking,  have  sent  scientific  and  practical  en- 
gineers to  examine  the  most  important  works  of  this  de- 
scription in  England,  the  result  of  whose  observations 
will  enable  the  company  to  prosecute  the  work  under 
more  favourable  auspices,  and  will  also  furnish  important 
data  for  the  information  of  congress,  whenever  they  may 
be  required  to  legislate  on  this  interesting  subject. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  459 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A  Review  of  the  Progress  of  the  Western  States,  from 
their  formation  and  adoption  into  the  Union  as  Inde- 
pendent States,  down  to  the  present  time. 

KENTUCKY. 

This  state  first  claims  our  attention ;  it  is  bounded 
north  by  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  Ohio ;  east  by  Virginia  ; 
south  by  Tennessee,  and  west  by  Mississippi.  It  ex- 
tends from  lat.  36°  30'  to  39°  10'  north,  and  from  long. 
81°  50'  to  89°  30'  west.  Length  on  the  southern  line  300 
miles  ;  extent  39,000  square  miles,  or  24,960,000  acres. 

Kentucky  was  adopted  into  the  Union,  and  held  an  in- 
dependent station  among  her  sister  states,  in  1792.  Col. 
Daniel  Boone,  with  some  of  his  friends,  explored  these 
parts  in  1769 ;  he  continued  in  the  vicinity  of  Kentucky 
until  1771,  when  he  returned.  But  in  1773,  he,  with  his 
family,  together  with  five  other  families,  and  forty  men, 
left  Powell's  valley,  so  called,  and  after  many  accidents 
and  detentions,  reached  Kentucky  River,  in  March, 
1775,  where  they  immediately  commenced  a  settlement. 
In  1778,  1779,  and  1780,  a  large  number  of  persons  emi- 
grated to  this  territory ;  but  their  distresses  were  so  great, 
occasioned  by  cruel  treatment  from  the  savages,  and  scar- 
city of  provision,  that  they  were  on  the  point  of  abandon- 
ing the  enterprise.  But  Gen.  Clark  soon  after  subdued  the 
Indians,  and  laid  waste  their  villages,  which  gave  security 
to  the  settlers,  and  the  settlement  continued  to  advance. 

RIVERS. — The  river  Ohio  washes  the  northwestern 
side  of  Kentucky.  Its  principal  branches,  which  water 
this  fertile  tract  of  country,  are  the  Sandy,  Licking,  Ken- 
tucky, Salt,  Green,  and  Cumberland  rivers.  These 
again  branch  in  various  directions,  into  rivulets  of  differ- 
ent magnitudes,  fertilizing  the  country  in  all  its  parts. 

Kentucky  River  is  very  crooked,  and  after  running  a 
course  of  more  than  200  miles,  empties  into  the  Ohio. 

Salt  River  rises  at  four  different  places,  near  each  other. 
The  windings  of  this  river  are  very  curious ;  the  four 


460  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

branches,  after  a  circuitous  course  round  a  fine  tract  of 
land,  unite;  and,  after  running^  about  15  miles,  empty 
into  the  Ohio,  20  miles  below  the  falls.  Its  general 
course  is  westward,  its  length  90  miles,  and  at  its  mouth 
is  80  yards  wide.  Green  and  Cumberland  Rivers  are  of 
considerable  note  ;  and  all  the  above  rivers  are  navigable 
for  boats  almost  to  their  sources.  The  banks  of  the  ri- 
vers are  generally  high,  and  composed  of  limestone. 
Limestone  is  very  abundant  in  this  state,  and  commonly 
lies  about  six  feet  below  the  surface,  except  in  valleys, 
where  the  soil  is  much  thinner. 

SPRINGS. — There  are  several  salt  springs  in  this  state, 
from  which  large  quantities  of  salt  is  manufactured. 
There  are  numerous  mounds  and  ancient  fortifications ; 
also  many  caves  ;  a  very  large  one,  near  Green  river, 
has  been  explored  to  the  distance  of  10  miles.  Large 
quantities  of  saltpetre  are  manufactured  from  the  earth 
which  is  gathered  at  the  bottom  of  these  caves. 

Face  of  the  Country,  Soil  and  Productions. — A  tract 
of  land,  about  30  miles  wide,  along  the  Ohio,  is  hilly,  and 
broken ;  it  is  interspersed  with  many  fertile  spots.  The 
rest  of  the  country  is  agreeably  uneven,  gently  ascend- 
ing and  descending.  The  soil  on  these  agreeable  as- 
cents, (for  they  cannot  be  called  hills,)  is  sufficiently  deep, 
as  is  evident  from  the  size  of  the  trees ;  the  soil  is  of  a 
darkish  complexion. 

In  many  places  there  are  appearances  of  potter's  clay, 
and  coal  in  abundance.  The  land  eas-t  of  Nolin  Creek, 
a  branch  of  Green  River,  is,  in  general,  of  an  inferior 
quality  ;  but  the  banks  of  Green  River  afford  many  desi- 
rable situations. 

Towards  the  head  waters  of  Kentucky  River,  which 
interlocks  writh  the  waters  of  Cumberland  and  Sandy 
Rivers,  the  country  is  broken  and  mountainous. 

Elkhorne  River,  a  branch  of  the  Kentucky,  from  the 
southward,  waters  a  country  fine  beyond  description 
The  country  east  and  south  of  this,  including  that  situa- 
ted at  the  head  waters  of  Licking  River,  in  the  vici- 
nity of  Hickman's  and  Jessamine  Creeks,  and  the  re 
markable  bend  in  Kentucky  River,  may  be  called  an  ex- 
tensive garden.  The  soil  is  deep  and  black,  and  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  461 

timber  large.  On  this  fertile  tract,  and  on  the  Licking 
and  head  waters  of  Salt  River,  are  the  places  on  which 
most  of  the  early  settlements  were  made. 

Dick's  River  runs  through  a  great  body  of  first  rate 
land,  and  affords  many  mill  seats.  Near  the  head  of  Salt 
River  the  land  is  good,  but  low  and  unhealthy. 

The  country  is  generally  well  timbered  ;  of  the  natural 
growth,  we  may  reckon  the  sugar,  the  coffee  tree  resem- 
bling the  black  oak,  the  hackberry,  and  the  cucumber 
tree.  Such  is  the  variety  and  beauty  of  the  flowering 
shrubs  and  plants  which  grow  spontaneously  in  this 
country,  that  in  the  proper  season,  the  wilderness  ap- 
pears in  full  blossom. 

The  accounts  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil  have,  in  some 
instances,  exceeded  belief,  and  probably  have  been  ex- 
aggerated. That  some  parts,  particularly  the  high  grounds, 
are  remarkably  good,  all  agree;  Jarge  quantities  of  wheat 
and  corn  are  raised,  and  more  or  less  of  rye,  barley,  oats, 
flax,  hemp,  and  abundance  of  all  kinds  of  vegetables,  but 
very  little  is  done  with  cotton  ;  tobacco  is  brought  to  per- 
fection. Swamps  are  rare  in  Kentucky ;  and,  of  course, 
the  reptiles  which  they  produce,  such  as  snakes,  frogs, 
<fec.,  not  numerous. 

The  CLIMATE  is  healthy  and  delightful ;  some  few  pla- 
ces, in  the  neighbourhood  of  ponds  and  low  grounds, 
excepted.  The  inhabitants  do  not  experience  the  ex- 
tremes of  heat  or  cold.  The  \vinter  season  is  generally 
mild,  and  of  short  duration ;  snow  seldom  falls,  and  lies 
but  a  short  time. 

The  CHIEF  TOWNS,  are  Frankfort,  Lexington,  and  Lou- 
isville. Frankfort  is  the  capital  of  the  state,  and  seat  of 
justice  for  Franklin  county  ;  it  is  regularly  laid  out  on  the 
east  side  of  Kentucky  river,  sixty  miles  above  its  confluence 
with  the  Ohio,  27  miles  west-northwest  of  Lexington,  51 
east  of  Louisville,  and  102  south-southwest  of  Cincinnati. 
It  contains  a  state  house,  86  by  54  feet ;  a  court-house ;  a 
penitentiary,  containing  from  80  to  130  convicts  ;  a  jail, 
academy,  market  house,  and  several  printing  offices,  ma- 
nufactories, &c.  The  site  of  the  town  is  a  semicircular 
alluvial  plain,  from  150  to  200  feet  lower  than  the  table 
lands  in  its  rear.  The  river  here  is  about  80  yards  wide, 

39* 


462  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

and  after  heavy  rains  frequently  rises  60  feet.  Opposite 
Frankfort,  and  connected  with  it,  is  South  Frankfort, 
which  is  rapidly  increasing.  Steam-boats  of  300  tons 
burthen  come  up  the  river  as  far  as  this  place,  when  the 
water  is  high.  Most  of  the  foreign  goods  consumed  in 
Kentucky,  are  landed  here  and  at  Louisville. 

Lexington  is  the  capital  of  Fayette  county ;  it  is  situ- 
ated in  a  beautiful  valley,  on  Town  Fork,  a  small  stream 
which  falls  into  the  south  branch  of  Elkhorne  River, 
25  miles  east-southeast  of  Frankfort;  it  is  regularly 
laid  out,  and  contains  a  court-house  and  other  public 
buildings.  The  growth  of  this  town  has  been  exceedingly 
rapid.  In  1797,  it  contained  only  about  50  houses  ;  it  is 
now  a  large  and  beautiful  town,  covered  with  stately  and 
elegant  buildings,  and,  in  point  of  wealth  and  refine- 
ment, is  surpassed  by  few  places  in  the  western  country. 
The  country  around  Lexington  is  much  admired  for  the 
beauty  of  its  scenery,  and  is  adorned  with  many  hand- 
some country  seats. 

Louisville  is  pleasantly  situated  on  an  elevated  and 
beautiful  plain,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Ohio,  imme- 
diately above  the  rapids,  120  miles  below  Cincinnati.  It 
contains  very  handsome  public  buildings,  and  large  ma- 
nufacturing establishments  are  employed  in  this  place, 
The  business  of  this  town  has  increased  astonishingly 
within  a  few  years  ;  a  large  number  of  steam  boats  are 
employed  in  its  commerce. 

A  stranger  travelling  through  the  state  of  Kentucky 
will  meet  with  frank  and  cordial  hospitality.  The  people 
are  high  minded,  and  possess  a  noble  character.  They 
are  in  a  condition  in  life,  which  is,  perhaps,  best  calcu- 
lated to  develope  high  mindedness  and  self-respect.  We 
may  find  in  this  state,  among  the  lower  classes,  igno- 
rant, abandoned,  and  savage  men ;  but  we  discover  the 
same  in  every  portion  of  the  Union.  Mostly,  however, 
they  are  courageous,  generous,  and  frank.  The  peculiar 
circumstances  they  were  placed  under  in  the  last  war, 
show  that  they  only  want  incitement  to  display  all  that  is 
noble  in  a  people. 

CURIOSITIES. — The  banks,  or  rather  precipices,  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Dick's  River  are  to  be  reckoned  among  the  na« 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  463 

tural  curiosities  of  this  country.  Here  the  astonished  eye 
beholds  three  or  four  hundred  feet  of  solid  perpendicular 
rock,  in  some  parts  of  limestone,  and  in  others  of  a  fine 
white  marble,  curiously  checked,  with  strata  of  astonishing 
regularity. 

Caves  have  been  discovered  in  this  country  of  several 
miles  in  length,  as  before  mentioned.  Copperas  and 
alum  are  among  the  minerals  of  Kentucky.  Near  Lex- 
ington, are  found  curious  sepulchres  full  of  human  skele- 
tons. It  has  been  asserted,  that  a  man  in  or  near  Lex- 
ington, having  dug  five  or  six  feet  below  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  came  to  a  large  flat  stone,  under  which  was 
a  well  of  common  depth,  regularly  and  artificially  stoned. 

TENNESSEE. 

Tennessee  is  bounded  north  by  Kentucky,  east  by 
North  Carolina,  south  by  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Missis- 
sippi, and  west  by  the  Mississippi  River,  which  separates 
it  from  Arkansas  Territory;  it  contains  about  40,000 
square  miles,  or  25,600,000  acres. 

Face  of  the  Country. — The  Cumberland  mountains 
eonsist  of  stupendous  piles  of  craggy  rocks,  running  from 
northeast  to  southwest,  through  the  centre  of  the  state, 
which  divides  it  into  east  and  west  Tennessee.  It  con- 
tains much  fertile  soil,  particularly  on  the  banks  of  its 
rivers.  The  principal  productions  are  cotton,  flax,  hemp, 
Indian  corn,  wheat,  and  tobacco. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  healthy  ;  the  season  of  vege- 
tation generally  commences  six  or  seven  weeks  sooner 
than  in  New-Hampshire,  Maine,  or  Vermont,  and  con- 
tinues much  longer;  snow  seldom  falls  or  lies  long; 
Cumberland  River  has  been  frozen  over  but  a  few  times 
since  the  state  has  been  settled.  Tennessee  was  formed 
into  a  territorial  government  in  1790,  and  was  admitted 
into  the  union  as  an  independent  state  in  1796.  The 
progress  of  Tennessee  has  been  remarkably  prosperous ; 
she  furnished  a  full  share  of  those  heroes  who  fought 
under  General  Jackson  (now  President  Jackson)  at  the 
victory  of  New-Orleans,  January,  1815;  they  are  a  brave, 
hardy,  and  industrious  set  of  people.  The  principal 


464  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

rivers  are  the  Obian,  Chickasaw,  Forked,  Deer,  and  Wolf 
rivers.  The  Cumberland  River  rises  in  Kentucky,  and 
ftfter  making  a  circular  line  in  this  state,  passes  again  into 
the  state  from  which  it  arose.  It  is  navigable  for  ves- 
sels of  thirty  or  forty  tons  burthen  to  Nashville.  During 
some  part  of  the  season,  and  when  the  river  is  high  in 
time  of  freshet,  it  will  float  vessels  of  400  tons. 

Population,  in  1790,  was  35,691  ;  in  1800,  105,602 ;  in 
1810,  261,727  ;  and  in  1820,  422,813.  The  most  nume- 
rous denominations  of  Christians  are  Presbyterians,  Me- 
thodists, and  Baptists. 

OHIO. 

The  state  of  Ohio  is  bounded  north  by  Michigan  Ter 
ritory  and  Lake  Erie,  east  by  Pennsylvania,  southeast  by 
Kentucky,  and  west  by  Indiana.  It  extends  from  38°  30' 
to  42°  north  lat.,  and  from  80°  32'  to  85°  50'  west  long. ; 
and  contains  39,000  square  miles,  or  25,000,000  acres. 

RIVERS. — The  Ohio  is  the  principal  river  which  washes 
the  southern  line  of  the  state.  The  principal  tributaries 
of  the  Ohio,  are  the  Muskingnm,  Hockhocking,  Scioto, 
the  Great  and  Little  Miami.  The  Muskingum,  rises 
in  Portage  county,  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  state, 
runs  in  a  southerly  direction,  passes  by  Coshocton  and 
Zanesville,  and  discharges  itself  into  the  Ohio  at  Ma- 
rietta. After  a  course  of  200  miles  above  Coshocton, 
it  bears  the  name  of  Tuscarawa  River.  The  navigation 
is  obstructed  by  falls  at  Zanesville  ;  but  this  obstruction 
affords  many  good  mill  seats.  Above  Zanesville,  the  river 
is  navigable  for  large  boats  to  Coshocton,  and  for  small 
boats  nearly  to  its  source.  The  Hockhocking  River 
rises  in  Fairfield  county,  runs  in  a  southeasterly  direc- 
tion, and  discharges  itself  into  the  Ohio,  at  Troy,  25 
miles  from  Marietta.  After  a  course  of  80  miles,  through 
a  rough  part  of  the  country,  this  river  is  navigable  for 
70  miles,  and  affords  some  of  the  finest  mill  seats. 
The  Scioto  rises  in  Hardin  county,  runs  in  a  south- 
easterly direction,  passes  by  Columbus,  Circleville,  and 
Chilicothe,  and  discharges  itself  into  the  Ohio,  at  Ports- 
mouth, after  a  course  of  170  miles ;  for  130  miles  it  is 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  465 

navigable.  The  Little  Miami,  rises  in  Madison  county, 
runs  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  and  falls  into  the  Ohio, 
seven  miles  above  Cincinnati,  after  a  course  of  70  miles. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  mill  streams  in  the  state  ;  nearly 
40  mills  are  already  erected  upon  it.  The  Great  Miami 
rises  in  Hardin  county,  runs  in  a  southeastern  direction, 
passes  through  Shelby,  Miami,  Montgomery,  Butler,  and 
Hamilton  counties,  falls  into  the  Ohio  River,  exactly  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  state,  after  a  course  of  more 
than  100  miles.  It  is  difficult  to  navigate  this  stream,  on 
account  of  the  rapidity  of  the  current;  this  river  also  has 
a  large  number  of  mill  seats. 

The  principal  rivers  which  fall  into  Lake  Erie,  are  the 
Maumee,  Sandusky,  and  Cuyahoga.  The  Maumee  is 
formed  by  the  confluence  of  St.  Joseph's  and  St.  Mary's 
Rivers,  at  Fort  Wayne,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  In- 
diana. It  runs  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  and  falls  into 
Maumee  Bay  at  the  western  extremity  of  Lake  Erie. 
The  Sandusky  River  rises  in  Crawford  county,  runs  at 
first  in  a  westerly,  afterwards  in  a  northerly  direction, 
and  discharges  itself  into  Sandusky  Bay,  after  a  course 
of  more  than  80  miles.  It  is  navigable  nearly  to  its 
source,  and,  in  one  part  of  its  course,  approaches  within 
four  miles  of  the  navigable  waters  of  the  Scioto.  The 
Cuyahoga  River  rises  in  Geauga  county,  in  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  state,  and  discharges  itself  into  the 
lake  at  Cleveland,  after  a  circuitous  course  of  more  than 
60  miles. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. — That  part  of  the  land  border- 
ing on  the  lake,  and  some  way  into  the  interior,  is  ge- 
nerally level,  and  in  some  places  marshy.  About  one 
quarter,  or  one  third  of  the  state,  bordering  on  the  Ohio 
River,  is  generally  hilly  and  broken,  but  cannot  consist- 
ently be  called  mountainous.  But,  immediately  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  its  tributaries,  are  numerous  tracts 
of  interval  land  of  most  excellent  quality.  On  both  sides 
of  the  Scioto,  and  also  of  the  Great  and  Little  Miami 
Rivers,  is  found  extensive  bodies  of  rich  and  level  land. 
The  whole  of  the  land  in  this  state  may  be  considered 
good,  and  has  generally  proved  satisfactory  to  emigrants. 
In  many  places  are  extensive  prairies,  particularly  near 


466  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

the  head  waters  of  the  Muskingum  and  Scioto,  and  be- 
tween the  Scioto  and  the  sources  of  the  two  Miami  rivers. 
Some  of  these  prairies  are  low  and  marshy,  and  yield  spon- 
taneously a  large  quantity  of  coarse  grass  from  two  to  five 
feet  high ;  others  are  elevated,  and  are  called  barrens,  not, 
however,  on  account  of  their  sterility,  for  they  are  often 
fertile.  The  high  land  which  divides  the  waters  of  the 
Ohio  River  from  those  of  Lake  Erie,  is  the  most  marshy 
tract  in  the  state  ;  the  driest  land  lies  along  the  margin  of 
the  rivers. 

PRODUCTIONS. — Wheat  is  the  principal  production.  A 
large  abundance  of  corn  is,  however,  raised,  and  not  un- 
frequently  from  70  to  100  bushels  is  produced  from  an 
acre.  Other  kinds  of  grain,  and  fruits  of  various  sorts,  are 
also  cultivated.  Coal  is  found  in  abundance  along  the 
Ohio,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state.  Salt  springs  have 
been  discovered  and  wrought  in  many  places. 

CLIMATE. — The  climate  of  Ohio  is  considered  warmer 
in  the  same  parallels  than  that  of  the  Atlantic  states.  The 
difference  has  been  estimated  by  Mr.  Jefferson  to  be  the 
same  as  three  degrees  of  latitude.  Observations,  how- 
ever, which  have  been  made  at  Cincinnati,  for  a  series  of 
years,  prove  that  the  difference  is  not  more  than  one  de- 
gree. The  winters  are  generally  mild  ;  some  parts,  parti- 
cularly the  low  marshy  land,  is  subject  to  fevers  and  agues, 
but  the  state  generally  may  be  called  healthy.  The  sum- 
mers are  warm,  and  generally  pretty  regular,  although, 
sometimes,  subject  to  tornadoes ;  one  of  a  very  destruc- 
tive nature  visited  these  parts  in  the  month  of  March, 
1830 ;  its  vengeance  seemed  to  be  directed  towards  Ur- 
bana,  a  flourishing  little  village,  situated  about  43  miles 
west  by  north  of  Columbus.  One  house  for  public  wor- 
ship, and  several  private  dwellings,  were  entirely  demo- 
lished, and  others,  to  the  number  of  between  sixty  and 
seventy,  were  more  or  less  injured ;  several  lives  were  lost, 
and  a  number  of  individuals  badly  bruised.  The  enter- 
prising inhabitants  of  the  place  immediately  lent  a  help 
ing  hand,  and,  in  a  great  measure,  restored  the  property 
of  the  sufferers. 

CANALS. — A  grant  from  congress,  passed  in  1825,  to 
build  a  canal  entirely  across  the  state,  and  also  one  along 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  467 

the  valley  of  the  Great  Miami,  from  Cincinnati  to  Day- 
ton, extending  66  miles.  The  latter  is  completed,  and 
in  successful  operation ;  and  it  is  now  in  contemplation 
to  extend  the  Miami  canal  from  Dayton  to  Lake  Erie. 
The  other,  which  passes  under  the  title  of  the  OHIO  GRAND 
CANAL,  commences  at  Cleveland,  on  Lake  Erie,  and  ex- 
tends in  a  southerly  direction  up  the  Cuyahoga  River ;  con- 
tinuing in  the  same  direction,  it  strikes  the  Scioto  River, 
just  within  the  limits  of  Picaway  county ;  it  then  fol- 
lows the  valley  01  the  Scioto  to  the  Ohio  River,  at  Ports 
mouth ;  the  length  is  about  300  miles  ;  it  probably  will 
be  completed  as  far  as  Licking  Summit  early  in  the  fall 
of  1830,  and  the  whole  in  the  course  of  1832. 

The  Roads  are,  in  some  part  of  the  season,  very  bad  ; 
generally  near  the  close  of  winter,  and  beginning  of 
spring ;  few,  if  any  stages,  continue  their  routes  at  these 
times.  The  national  road  is  making  great  progress  in 
this  state ;  it  is  completed  as  far  as  Zanesville ;  it  is  ex- 
Dected  to  pass  through  Columbus,  the  capital  of  the  state; 
thence  west  through  Springfield,  the  capital  of  Clark 
county  ;  thence  in  a  westerly  direction  through  the  state 
of  Indiana  to  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi. 

SETTLEMENT. — The  first  settlement  of  any  note  was 
begun  at  Marietta ;  the  town  was  laid  out  by  the  Ohio 
company,  and  a  settlement  commenced  early  in  the  spring 
of  1788.  This  town  is  handsomely  laid  out  on  the 
western  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Muskingmn ;  the  place  has  continued  to  increase,  and 
contained,  in  1820,  2036  inhabitants.  Soon  after  this,  Fort 
Washington  was  built,  and,  in  the  year  1789,  Cincinnati 
was  begun  about  seven  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the 
Little  Miami.  This  place  has  of  late  increased  most  as- 
tonishingly; it  contained,  in  1827,  about  25,000,  and  in 
1830,  29,000  inhabitants.  It  contains  a  large  proportion 
of  manufactures,  and  very  handsome  public  buildings,  and 
holds  the  first  rank  of  any  place  in  the  state.  The  pro- 
gress of  the  state  was  considerably  checked  by  the  In- 
dian wars  ;  but  General  Wayne  so  completely  defeated 
the  aboriginal  inhabitants  in  1794,  that  it  has  not  been 
disturbed  since.  It  was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1802; 
since  that  time,  the  population  of  this  state  has  been  in* 


468  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

creased  by  emigration  from  other  parts  of  the  Union, 
and  Europe,  beyond  the  most  sanguine  expectations. 
Strangers  are  surprised,  in  travelling  through  it,  to  find 
some  as  handsome  and  well  laid  out  cities  as  afe  in  the 
eastern  states ;  and  yet,  in  this  place,  fourteen  years 
ago,  there  was  nothing  but  a  dreary  wilderness.  Many 
of  the  inhabitants,  some  not  more  than  of  middle  age,  can 
tell  you  the  first  house  erected  in  the  place  where  they 
livev,  which  now  contains  perhaps  from  three  to  fifteen 
thousand  inhabitants.  This  state  was  merely  a  forest 
forty  years  ago,  yet  it  now  ranks  among  the  first  in  the 
Union.  Although  the  inhabitants  are  made  up  of  emi- 
grants from  almost  every  part  of  the  United  States,  and 
most  of  the  countries  of  Europe,  they  uuite  harmonious- 
ly in  the  improvement  of  the  country  ;  yet  they  have  not 
resided  long  enough  together  to  form  a  fixed  and  uniform 
character.  The  majority  of  emigrants  have  been  farmers 
in  the  eastern  states  ;  they  are  generally  industrious,  tem- 
perate, and  frugal,  and  possess  much  intelligence  and 
enterprise.  The  Presbyterians  and  Methodists  are  the 
most  numerous  of  any  Christian  denomination  in  this 
state.  There  are  some  few  Shakers,  and  a  few  societies 
of  Friends. 

Government. — The  legislative  power  is  vested  in  a  ge- 
neral assembly,  consisting  of  a  senate  and  house  of  rep- 
resentatives. The  representatives  are  chosen  for  one 
year,  and  their  number  cannot  be  less  than  thirty-six,  nor 
more  than  seventy-two.  The  'senators  are  chosen  for 
two  years,  and  their  number  must  not  be  more  than  one 
half,  nor  less  than  one  third  of  the  representatives.  The 
executive  power  is  vested  in  a  governor,  who  is  chosen 
by  the  peopie  for  two  years* 

COMMERCE. — The  principal  exports  from  this  state  are 
horses,  cattle,  swine,  whiskey,  and  flour.  Large  herds  of 
swine  are  driven  in  autumn  to  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
and  other  eastern  markets ;  besides,  numbers  are  slaugh- 
tered for  the  use  of  navigators,  and  large  supplies  are  sent 
to  Detroit.  The  markets  for  the  northern  and  interior 
part,  are  New- York  and  Montreal ;  but  the  southern  por- 
tion of  the  state  sends  its  produce  down  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  rivers  to  New-Orleans. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  409 

POPULATION. — The  population  of  this  state  in  1791, 
was  3,000;  in  1800,  42,156;  in  1810,  230,760,  and  in 
1820,  581,434  ;  it  will  probably  contain,  at  the  return  of 
the  next  census,  at  least  800,000,  and  the  number  has  been 
estimated  by  some  at  1,000,000.  The  rapid  progress; 
since  1791,  will  justify  us  in  saying  it  has  surpassed  any 
other  state  in  the  same  period. 

ANTIQUITIES. — The  monuments  of  the  ancient  popula- 
tion  of  Ohio,  consist  of  fortifications,  and  mounda  or 
embankments,  of  various  forms  and  dimensions.  Amongst 
them  all,  there  is  not  a  single  edifice,  nor  any  ruins,  which 
prove  the  existence,  in  former  ages,  of  a  building'com- 
posed  of  durable  materials ;  no  fragment  of  a  column* 
no  brick,  nor  a  single  hewn  stone,  large  enough  to  have 
been  incorporated  into  a  wall,  has  been  discovered^ 
Many  ancient  fortifications  are  found,  generally  in  the  val- 
leys of  streams,  and  on  the  most  elevated  plains.  There 
have  been  many  and  various  conjectures  concerning  the 
time  when  these  monuments  were  erected,  the  people  by 
whom  they  were  built,  and  the  design  of  their  erection. 
Those  which  we  call  forts,  are  generally  in  the  strongest 
military  position  of  the  country,  and  were,  perhaps,  with- 
out exception,  designed  for  defence  in  time  of  war.  The 
mounds,  no  doubt,  were  burying  places,  as  human  bones 
have  been  frequently  discovered  in  them. 

The  CHIEF  TOWNS  are  Cincinnati,  Chilicothe,  Zanes- 
ville,  Columbus,  Steubenville,  Marietta,  Cleveland,  and 
Dayton,  besides  a  large  number  of  rapidly  increasing  vil- 
lages. Cincinnati  is  the  largest,  but  Columbus  is  the  capi- 
tal of  the  state.  Columbus  is  regularly  laid  out,  on  a  plea- 
sant rising  ground,  on  the  east  side  of  Scioto  River,  just 
below  the  confluence  of  the  Whetstone.  The  growth  of 
this  place  has  been  very  rapid.  In  1812,  the  lots  were 
first  sold,  with  the  trees  standing  thereon.  It  now  con- 
tains a  handsome  state  house,  a  building  for  public  olfi 
ces,  penitentiary,  bank,  market  house,  four  printing  offices 
nnd  about  2,000  inhabitants* 

40 


470  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

INDIANA. 

The  state  of  Indiana  is  bounded  north  by  the  state  of 
Illinois,  Lake  Michigan,  and  Michigan  Territory  ;  east 
by  the  state  of  Ohio  ;  south  by  Kentucky  ;  and  west  by 
Illinois.  It  extends  from  37°  45'  to  41°  50'  north  lat.,  and 
from  85°  42'  to  87°  49'  west  long.,  f.nd  is  estimated  to  con- 
tain 36,000  square  miles. 

RIVERS. — The  Ohio  River  forms  the  southern  boun 
dary  of  the  state,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami 
to  that  of  the  Wabash.  The  Wabash  rises  in  the  north- 
easte'rn  part  of  the  state,  flows  in  a  southwest  direction, 
and  falls  into  the  Ohio  River,  30  miles  above  the  mouth 
of  Cumberland  River,  after  a  course  of  5CO  miles,  the 
last  250  of  which  forms  the  boundary  between  Indiana 
and  Illinois.  It  is  navigable  for  keel  boats  400  miles,  to 
Cuitanon,  where  there  are  rapids.  Above  the  rapids, 
small  boats  can  ascend  nearly  to  its  source.  The  current 
is  gentle  above  Vincennes  ;  below  the  town  there  are  seve- 
ral rapids,  but  none  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  prevent 
boats  from  descending.  Its  principal  tributaries  are  the 
White  River  and  Tippecanoe.  The  White  River  rises 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  runs  in  a  southwesterly 
direction,  through  nearly  the  whole  breadth  of  the  state, 
parallel  with  the  Ohio  River,  and  at  the  distance  of  from 
40  to  60  miles,  empties  itself  into  the  Wabash,  10  miles 
below  Vincennes. 

The  Tippecanoe  Kiver  rises  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  state,  runs  in  a  southerly  direction,  and  joins  the 
Wabash,  140  miles  above  Vincennes.  The  banks  of  this 
river  are  celebrated  for  a  severe  battle,  fought  in  Novem- 
ber, 1811,  between  the  United  States'  troops  and  the  In- 
dians, in  which  the  former  were  victorious.  White  Wa- 
ter rises  in  this  state,  runs  in  a  southeasterly  direction, 
receives  a  number  of  tributaries,  and  falls  into  the  Mia- 
mi, in  Ohio,  five  miles  above  the  junction  of  that  with 
the  Ohio  River.  It  is  a  beautiful  transparent  stream,  and 
abounds  with  tine  seats  for  mills,  many  of  which  are  al- 
ready erected  upon  it ;  it  can  easily  be  made  navigable  to 
Brookville,  20  miles  from  its  mouth.  St.  Mary's  River 
rises  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  near  the  sources  of  the  Miami, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  471 

runs  in  a  direction  west  of  north,  for  70  miles,  and  joins 
the  St.  Joseph's  River,  at  Fort  Wayne,  from  whence  it 
is  called  the  Maumee.  It  is  navigable  for  boats  nearly  to 
its  source,  from  which  there  is  only  a  short  portage  to 
Loramie's  Creek,  a  branch,  of  the  Miami. 

Face  of  the  Country. — A  ridge  of  hills  commences  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Wabash,  and  runs  in  a  northeasterly  di- 
rection, nearly  parallel  with  the  Ohio,  at  no  great  dis- 
tance, producing  a  broken  and  uneven  country.  North 
of  these  hills  lies  a  considerable  tract  of  wilderness.  Bor- 
dering on  all  the  principal  streams,  except  the  Ohio, 
there  are  strips  of  cotton  and  prairie  land,  of  a  rich  soil, 
and  from  three  to  six  miles  in  width.  The  prairie  on  the 
Wabash  is  the  finest  land  in  the  state.  Remote  from  the 
rivers,  the  country  is  broken  and  the  soil  light.  Between 
the  Wabash  and  Lake  Michigan,  the  land  is  level,  and  in- 
terspersed with  woodlands,  prairies,  lakes,  and  swamps. 

The  principal  productions  are  wheat,  Indian  corn,  oats, 
rye,  flax,  hemp,  potatoes  and  tobacco.  In  the  southeast- 
ern part  of  the  state,  near  Vevay,  on  the  Ohio,  the  vine  is 
cultivated  with  success.  On  the  banks  of  the  Wabash, 
in  the  upper  part  of  its  course,  the  best  kind  of  coal  is 
found  in  inexhaustible  quantities  ;  and  near  the  sources  of 
several  of  the  navigable  rivers,  there  are  salt  springs, 
from  which  an  abundance  of  salt  may  be  procured.  Near 
Coryden,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state,  is  a  large  cave, 
abounding  with  Epsom  salts  and  saltpetre.  The  north 
part  of  the  state,  called  the  St.  Joseph's  country,  is  fer- 
tile and  excellent  land.  A  large  number  of  emigrants 
flocked  thither  from  Ohio  and  the  eastern  states,  in  the 
years  1828, 1829,  and  1830.  The  emigration  to  the  whole 
of  this  state  has  been  very  great,  particularly  during  the 
last  two  years. 

GOVERNMENT. — In  17G3,  this  territory  was  ceded  by 
France  to  England.  By  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  in 
1795,  the  United  States  obtained  several  grants  of  land 
within  this  territory ;  and  in  subsequent  years,  still  more 
extensive  tracts.  During  the  wars  which  began  in  1812, 
this  territory  was  the  source  of  many  Indian  depreda- 
tions, and  of  many  unusually  severe  battles  between  the 
hostile  savages  and  the  troops  of  the  United  States.  In 


472  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

diana  formed  a  part  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  until  the 
year  1801,  when  it  was  set  off  as  a  separate  district,  and 
granted  the  usual  privileges.  In  1816,  it  was  admitted 
into  the  Union  as  an  independent  state.  The  legislative 
power  is  vested  in  a  general  assembly,  consisting  of  a 
senate  and  house  of  representatives.  The  representa- 
tives are  chosen  annually,  and  the  senators  for  three  years. 
The  executive  power  is  vested  in  a  governor,  who  is  cho- 
sen by  the  people  for  three  years.  The  judiciary  power 
is  vested  in  a  supreme  court,  and  such  inferior  courts  as 
the  general  assembly  may,  from  time  to  time,  direct  and 
establish.  The  judges  of  the  supreme  court  are  appoint- 
ed by  the  governor,  with  the  advice  of  the  senate.  The 
judges  of  the  inferior  courts  are  chosen  partly  by  the  peo- 
ple in  their  respective  counties,  and  partly  by  the  gene- 
ral assembly.  The  justices  of  the  peace  are  elected  by 
the  people,  in  their  respective  towns,  and  hold  their  of- 
fice for  five  years.  The  judges  of  all  the  courts  hold  their 
office  for  seven  years,  unless  impeached  for  bad  conduct. 
CHIEF  TOWNS. — Indianapolis,  the  capital  of  the  state, 
is  handsomely  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  White  River. 
It  was  laid  out  in  1821,  and  contained  over  forty  dwell- 
ings within  six  months.  Vincennes,  a  large  town,  situ- 
ated on  the  east  bank  of  the  Wabash,  100  miles  from 
its  junction  with  the  Ohio  in  a  direct  line,  and  nearly  200 
by  the  course  of  the  river.  This  town  was  first  settled 
by  the  French,  of  rather  a  low  class ;  soon  after,  large 
numbers  of  emigrants  went  thither  from  different  parts  of 
the  United  States,  which  greatly  improved  the  society. 
The  population  in  1810,  was  883 ;  in  1820,  it  contained 
nearly  three  hundred  dwellings,  and  the  number  has  con- 
tinued to  increase  since  that  period.  The  population  of 
this  state,  in  1819,  was  68,784,  and  in  1820,  147,178, 
having  considerably  more  than  doubled  in  five  years. 
The  Indian  title  to  a  large  tract  of  excellent  land,  was 
purchased  by  the  United  States  some  years  since,  and  the 
number  of  emigrants  are,  in  consequence,  rapidly  increas 
ing 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  473 

ILLINOIS. 

The  state  of  Illinois  is  bounded  north  by  the  Northwest 
Territory,  east  by  Indiana  and  Lake  Michigan,  west  by 
the  Mississippi  River,  which  divides  it  from  the  state  of 
Missouri  and  Missouri  Territory. 

Rivers. — This  state  is  well  provided  with  navigable 
rivers.  It  is  bounded  on  three  sides  by  the  Mississippi, 
Ohio,  and  Wabash ;  its  northeast  corner  also  touches  upon 
i^ake  Michigan.  The  Illinois  River,  which  rises  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  state,  runs  in  a  southwest  direc- 
tion about  400  miles,  and  falls  into  the  Mississippi,  eigh- 
teen miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri.  It  has  a 
gentle  current,  and  is  navigable  nearly  to  its"  spurce.  The 
Illinois  has  several  tributaries,  which  are  navigable  about 
100  miles.  The  Kaskaskia  River  rises  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  state,  runs  150  miles  in  a  southwesterly  direction, 
and  falls  into  the  Mississippi,  eighty-four  miles  below  the 
Illinois ;  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  of  this  river  is  na- 
vigable. Besides  these,  it  has  a  large  number  of  streams 
of  ordinary  size,  viz.  Rocky  River,  Aubase,  Saline  River, 
Little  Wabash,  and  the  Chicago ;  many  of  these  are  na- 
vigable for  boats  for  a  considerable  distance,  and  afford 
many  mill  sites,  which  are  of  great  benefit  to  the  country. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. — The  land  may  be  called  flat, 
although  there  are  many  parts  which  has  a  gentle  rise  and 
descent.  Extensive  prairies  are  found  to  cover  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  this  state.  On  the  banks  of  the  prin- 
cipal rivers  may  be  found  land  of  the  first  quality,  bear- 
ing a  heavy  growth  of  timber.  It  varies  in  width  from  50 
rods  to  three  miles.  There  are  many  thousands  of  acres 
of  newly  formed  land  at  the  mouths  of  the  principal  rivers ; 
but  it  is  very  unhealthy,  being  subject  to  annual  inunda- 
tion. There  are  dry  prairies  near  the  rivers  bordering 
on  the  bottoms,  but  they  are  elevated  about  70  or  80 
feet.  No  prairies  east  of  the  Mississippi  are  more  exten- 
sive than  those  in  this  state ;  it  has  been  estimated  at 
1,200,000  acres  ;  the  soil  is  not  inferior  to  the  river  bot- 
toms. Some  prairies  of  a  different  nature  are  found  re- 
mote from  the  rivers,  but  near  their  sources  ;  die  soil  is 
wet,  abounding  with  swamps  and  ponds,  and  covered  with 

40* 


474  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

coarse  grass.  The  timbered  land  is  moderately  hilly,  well 
watered,  and  of  a  rich  soil.  Corn  is  at  present  the  sta- 
ple production.  Wheat  does  well,  except  on  the  bottoms, 
where  the  soil  is  too  rich ;  this,  however,  is  a  fault,  if 
it  can  be  called  so,  which  time  will  overcome.  Tobacco 
grows  to  perfection  ;  flax,  hemp,  oats,  common  and  sweet 
potatoes,  do  very  well  in  this  state.  Several  millions  01 
acres  of  excellent  land  belong  to  the  United  States,  part 
of  which  has  been  awarded  to  the  soldiers  who  served 
in  the  last  war. 

GOVERNMENT. — This  state  was  first  settled  by  the 
French,  as  early  as  1780.  No  English  settlement  was 
commenced  for  a  considerable  time.  After  Colonel  Clark 
subdued  the  Indians  in  these  parts,  the  settlers  felt  more 
secure,  and  their  numbers  increased.  It  constituted  a  part 
of  the  Northwest  Territory  until  1800,  when  it  was  set  off 
as  a  separate  territory.  It  was  admitted  into  the  union, 
with  all  the  privileges  of  her  sister  states,  in  1818.  The 
convention  which  formed  the  constitution  of  the  stale,  was 
required  to  provide,  by  ordinance,  which  is  irrevocable 
without  the  consent  of  congress,  that  all  lands  sold  by  the 
United  States,  shall  be  exempted  from  every  species  of 
taxation  for  five  years  from  the  day  of  sale :  also,  that  the 
county  lands,  granted  for  military  services  during  the  late 
war,  shall,  if  they  continue  to  be  held  by  the  patentees, 
or  their  heirs,  remain  exempt  from  taxes  for  three  years 
from  the  date  of  the  patents  ;  and  that  the  lands  belong- 
ing to  citizens  of  the  United  States,  residing  without  the 
state,  shall  never  be  taxed  higher  than  lands  belonging  to 
persons  residing  within  the  state.  Similar  provisions  are 
required  of  all  new  states,  as  the  condition  on  which  they 
receive  their  grants  of  land  and  money  for  the  support 
of  schools  and  roads.  It  is  usually  required  that  all  na- 
vigable waters  shall  be  common  highways,  and  for  ever 
free  of  toll  or  duty  to  all  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

POPULATION. — The  population  has  increased  very  ra- 
pidly within  a  few  years.  The  first  settlements  were 
principally  confined  to  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
other  principal  rivers.  The  population,  in  1810,  was 
12,282;  in  1818,  35,220,  and  in  1820,  55,512,  having  in- 
creased  nearly  five  to  one  in  ten  years ;  large  numbers 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  475 

emigrated  to  this  state  in  1829  and  1630,  particularly 
along  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi. 

VANDALIA,  the  seat  of  government,  is  on  the  right 
bank  of  Kaskaskia  River,  120  miles  from  its  mouth.  It 
contained,  in  1830,  160  houses,  scattered  over  an  exten- 
sive plain.  This  place  was  settled  by  the  French  from 
Lower  Canada,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  inhabitants 
are  of  French  origin. 

MINERALS. — Copper  and  lead  are  found  in  some  parts 
of  the  state.  Coal  has  been  discovered  on  the  banks  of 
Aubase  River;  on  the  Illinois,  260  miles  from  its  mouth, 
and  in  several  places  near  Kaskaskia  and  Edwardsville ; 
salt  is  manufactured  to  a  considerable  extent,  sufficient 
to  supply  this  state,  and  Indiana. 

MISSOURI. 

This  slate  is  bounded  north  by  Missouri  Territory, 
south  by  Arkansas  Territory,  east  by  Kentucky,  Illinois, 
and  Tennessee,  and  west  by  Missouri  Territory. 

RIVERS. — The  Mississippi  washes  the  eastern  line  of 
the  state.  The  Missouri  crosses  the  western  boundary, 
runs  in  an  eastern  direction  through  the  heart  of  the 
state,  and  discharges  itself  into  the  Mississippi  18  miles 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois,  and  193  above  that  of  the 
Ohio.  The  principal  tributaries  of  the  Mississippi  are 
the  Salt  River,  Missouri,  and  Merriir.ack.  The  principal 
tributaries  of  the  Missouri  are  the  Gasconade,  Osage,  and 
Grana.  The  Gasconade  River  enters  the  Missouri  after, 
a  northerly  course  of  200  miles,  about  100  miles  from 
its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi.  The  current  is  rapid, 
and  affords  many  good  mill  seats ;  boats  and  rafts  may 
descend  with  ease,  but  the  ascent  is  accomplished  with 
great  labour.  The  Osage  River  rises  in  Missouri,  runs 
in  an  east  and  northeast  direction,  and  enters  the  Mis- 
souri 133  miles  from  its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi. 
The  Grand  River  rises  in  Missouri  Territory,  and,  after 
running  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  joins  the  Missouri 
100  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Osage. 

In  1663,  the  French  commenced  some  small  settle- 
ments in  this  state,  and  in  1604,  St.  Louis  was  began  by 


476  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  CF 

them.  It  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  in  1803.  ^7ery 
little  progress  was  made  previous  to  the  cession ;  but 
soon  after  this,  numerous  settlements,  that  had  been  com- 
menced by  the  French,  began  to  flourish,  and  to  be  thickly 
peopled.  The  people  made  application  to  congress,  in 
1818,  to  form  a  state  constitution  ;  the  bill  passed  the 
house  of  representatives,  but  was  refused  by  the  senate ; 
the  bill  was  again  renewed  the  next  session ;  it  was  the 
subject  of  considerable  debate,  and  was  finally  cairied  by 
a  small  majority  on  the  following  conditions  :  That  they 
should  not  be  authorized  to  pass  any  laws  excluding  any 
citizen  of  the  state  from  enjoying  the  privileges  to  which 
they  are  entitled  by  the  constitution  of  the  United  States. 
On  the  24th  of  June,  1824,  the  legislature  of  Missouri 
assented  to  the  fundamental  conditions,  and,  on  the  10th 
of  August  following,  the  president  declared  its  admission 
into  the  Union  as  an  independent  state. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. — The  lands  on  the  banks  oi 
the  rivers  are  mostly  level,  but  as  you  recede  from  them, 
towards  the  interior,  the  country  rises,  sometimes  gra- 
dually and  sometimes  abruptly,  into  elevated  barrens, 
flinty  ridges,  and  rocky  cliffs.  Some  portion  of  the  state 
is  unfit  for  cultivation,  but  is  rich  in  mineral  treasures. 
The  highest  land  is  in  a  ridge  which  commences  on  the 
banks  of  the  Merrimack,  and  extends  in  a  southwest  di- 
rection to  the  banks  of  the  "White  River,  in  Arkansas  Ter- 
ritory, a  distance  of  400  miles ;  this  occasionally  rises 
into  mountainous  peaks. 

Soil. — The  soil  is  either  very  rich  or  very  poor ;  it  is 
either  bottom  land  or  cliff,  either  prairie  or  barren  ;  there 
is  very  little  of  an  intermediate  quality.  The  lands  im- 
mediately upon  the  banks  of  the  rivers  are  generally  rich, 
producing  corn,  wheat,  oats,  flax,  hemp,  and  tobacco,  in 
great  abundance.  The  lands  bordering  on  the  Missouri, 
are  very  rich.  They  consist  of  a  stratum  of  black  allu- 
vial soil,  of  unknown  depth,  partaking  largely  of  the  pro- 
perties of  marl,  and  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  forest 
trees.  Osage  River  affords,  in  its  whole  length,  large 
bodies  of  the  choicest  prairie  land,  interspersed  with  wood 
land,  and  occasionally  with  hills.  Its  banks  have  also 
abundance  of  coal.  The  lands  bordering  on  Salt  River 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  477 

a,  e  noted  for  their  fertility ;  and  the  settlements  on  its 
banks  are  rapidly  progressing.  Some  very  good  land  is 
found  near  the  St.  Francis  River. 

CLIMATE. — The  state  of  Missouri  enjoys  a  climate  of 
remarkable  serenity  and  temperate  warmth.  It  is  ex- 
empt from  the  warm  summers  of  the  south,  and  the  chill- 
ing blasts  of  the  north;  it  has  a  medium  of  climate,  which 
is  calculated  to  favour  the  pursuits  of  agriculture,  com- 
merce, and  navigation.  A  clear  blue  sky  is  characteristic 
ol  the  country,  and  an  atmosphere  of  unusual  dryness 
exempts  the  inhabitants  from  those  pulmonary  com- 
plaints which  are  so  frequent  in  some  of  the  Atlantic 
states.  The  climate  is  favourable  for  the  production  of 
corn,  wheat,  rye,  oats,  flax,  and  hemp ;  the  lands  on  the 
banks  of  the  Missouri  are  famed  for  vigorous  crops. 
Tobacco  is  found  to  succeed  as  well  as  in  Virginia  or 
Kentucky.  The  soil  and  climate  are  also  adapted  to  the 
growth  of  sweet  potatoes,  and  fruit  trees  of  various  kinds. 
The  luxuriant  growth  of  grass  in  the  woods  afford  am- 
ple range  for  horses  and  cattle,  and  they  are  constantly 
kept  fat.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  country  in  the  world, 
where  cattle,  hogs,  and  other  stock,  can  be  raised  with  so 
little  trouble  as  in  some  parts  of  this  state. 

MINERALS. — The  most  remarkable  features  in  this  state 
are  the  lead  mines  ;  these  are  probably  the  most  extensive 
on  the  globe ;  they  extend  about  70  miles  in  length  and 
40  in  width.  They  comprise  a  large  portion  of  Wash- 
ington, Genevieve,  Jefferson,  and  Madison  counties,  co- 
vering about  3000  square  miles.  The  ore  is  of  the  best 
and  purest  kind ;  more  than  a  thousand  men  are  em- 
ployed in  the  mines. 

Antiquities. — Several  skeletons  were  discovered,  in 
1818,  on  the  banks  of  the  Merrimack  River,  which  indicate 
a  stature  unusually  small,  and  are  supposed  by  many  to 
be  an  extinct  race  of  human  beings,  of  dwarfish  origin, 
who  inhabited  this  country  at  a  former  period.  None  of 
the  graves  exceed  four  feet  in  length ;  the  teeth  of  the  ske- 
leton indicates  that  they  had  arrived  to  the  age  of  ma- 
turity. 

COMMERCE. — The  exports  are  lead,  shot,  whiskey,  flour, 
corn,  hemp,  flax,  tow  cloth,  and  furs ;  large  droves  of 


478  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

horses  are  annually  taken  to  Kentucky  and  other  states ; 
commerce  is  chiefly  carried  on  with  the  cities  of  New- 
York,  Philadelphia,  and  New-Orleans. 

POPULATION. — The  population  of  this  state  in  1810, 
was  20,657 ;  in  1820,  exclusive  of  Indians,  66,586 ;  a 
large  proportion  annually  emigrate  from  New-York,  Ten- 
nessee, Kentucky,  and  New-England.  The  population 
has  continued  to  increase  very  rapidly  within  a  few 
years.  Large  numbers  flocked  to  St.  Louis  in  1829  and 
1830.  St.  Louis  is  very  handsomely  laid  out  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  18  miles  below  the  mouth  of 
the  Missouri,  and  200  above  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio ;  it  is 
well  situated  for  commerce,  and  bids  fair  to  become  a 
place  of  considerable  importance.  The  course  of  emigra- 
tion has  been,  and  still  is,  through  the  Mississippi  River 
to  this  state.  The  principal  settlements  have  heretofore 
been  made  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri 
Rivers.  Emigrants  are  now  extending  back  from  the  ri- 
vers, and,  no  doubt,  will  soon  cultivate  the  whole  of  this 
rich  and  fertile  country. 

MICHIGAN    TERRITORY. 

This  territory  is  bounded  north  by  Lake  Superior,  east 
by  Lakes  Huron,  St.  Clair,  and  Erie,  south  by  Ohio  and  In- 
diana, and  west  by  the  Northwest  Territory.  The  part  of 
the  territory  to  which  the  Indian  title  has  been  extinguish- 
ed, is  a  tract  in  the  southern  portion,  along  the  banks  of  Lake 
Erie,  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  Lake  Huron.  Lake  Michigan 
lies  wholly  within  this  territory.  It  is  260  miles  long, 
and  800  in  circumference,  containing  about  16,200  square 
miles.  This  lake  is  navigable  for  ships  of  any  burthen. 
Green  Bay  extends  in  a  southwest  direction  90  miles,  and 
is  about  20  wide ;  it  is  navigable  for  vessels  of  200  tons. 
Lake  Huron  lies  partly  in  this  territory  and  partly  in 
Upper  Canada.  On  its  northwest  side  it  receives  the  wa- 
ters of  Lake  Superior  through  the  River  St.  Mary's,  and 
is  connected  with  Lake  Michigan  by  the  straits  of  Michili- 
mackinack.  It  discharges  itself  at  its  southern  extremity, 
through  St.  Clair  River,  into  Lake  St.  Clair. 

RIVERS. — St.  Mary's  River,   or  strait,  which  connects 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  479 

Lake  Superior  with  Lake  Huron,  is  about  80  miles  long. 
The  fall,  or  Saut  de  St.  Marie,  is  near  the  head  of  the 
strait,  fifteen  miles  from  Lake  Superior ;  the  river  here 
descends  twenty-two  feet  and  ten  inches,  in  900  yards, 
and  cannot  be  ascended  with  large  vessels ;  canoes  and 
other  small  craft  are  towed  up,  with  considerable  dif- 
iiculty.  Large  quantities  of  white  fish  are  taken  at  the 
foot  of  these  rapids ;  they  are  so  numerous  that  500  have 
been  taken  in  two  hours  by  one  person.  The  principal 
rivers  which  discharge  themselves  from  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  territory,  are  Saganaw,  Huron,  and  Raisin.  The 
Saganaw  is  a  large  and  deep  stream,  which  falls  into  Sa- 
ganaw  Bay,  at  its  southern  extremity.  The  Huron  River 
discharges  itself  into  Lake  St.  Clair,  twenty  miles  north 
of  Detroit,  after  an  easterly  course  of  60  miles.  Nume- 
rous rivers  fall  into  Lake  Michigan,  on  its  eastern  shore  ; 
the  most  noted  of  which  is  the  St.  Joseph,  which  rises  in 
Indiana,  near  the  source  of  the  Maumee,  and  running 
in  a  northwestern  direction,  falls  into  the  lake  near  its 
southern  extremity.  Grand  River  rises  near  the  sources 
of  the  Saganaw  and  the  Raisin,  and  runs  in  a  westerly  di- 
rection, until  it  falls  into  the  lake,  about  60  miles  north 
of  the  St.  Joseph's  ;  it  is  navigable  for  boats  nearly  to  its 
source. 

Face  of  the  Country. — A  ridge  of  high  land  divides 
the  waters  flowing  into  Lake  Michigan,  from  those  wrhich 
fall  into  Lake  Huron,  St.  Clair,  and  Erie.  The  country 
along  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  extending 
into  the  interior  as  far  as  the  dividing  ridge,  consists  of 
sand  hills,  sometimes  covered  with  a  few  stinted  trees, 
and  scanty  vegetation,  but  generally  bare,  and  thrown 
by  the  wind  into  a  thousand  fantastic  shapes.  The 
whole  of  this  tract  has  been  gained  from  the  lake,  and  the 
land  is  still  continually  making  encroachments,  every 
storm  throwing  up  new  quantities  of  alluvial.  The  east- 
ern part  of  the  state  consists  of  lands  ceded  by  the  Indians, 
but  never  has,  until  recently,  been  brought  into  notice. 
It  is  now  ascertained  to  be  a  fertile  region,  well  fitted  for 
wheat  and  fruit  of  all  kinds,  generally  level,  and  watered 
by  fine  rivers,  most  of  which  present  facilities  for  the 
transportation  of  produce  from  the  interior.  Since  the 


480  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

lands  were  offered  for  sale  by  the  United  States'  govern- 
ment, in  1818,  emigrants  have  flocked  to  this  territory 
in  great  numbers  ;  and,  perhaps,  in  no  country  north  of 
the  cotton  and  sugar  climate,  could  the  farmer  find  a  bet- 
ter field  for  enterprise,  or  a  surer  prospect  of  reward. 
The  lands  on  Saganaw  river  and  bay,  which  were  ceded 
by  the  Indians,  in  1819,  are  represented  to  be  of  excel 
lent  quality,  and  beautifully  situated. 

CLIMATE. — The  climate  is  healthful,  and  milder  than 
in  the  Atlantic  states  in  the  same  latitude.  In  the  east- 
ern parts  it  resembles  that  of  the  western  part  of  New- 
York  and  Pennsylvania  ;  towards  the  southern  boundary 
it  increases  in  mildness,  but  upon  the  coast  of  Lake  Hu- 
ron and  St.  Clair  it  is  more  severe.  No  part  of  the  coun- 
try is  better  supplied  with  fish  and  other  wild  game  ;  the 
trout  of  Michilimackinack  have  a  superior  relish ;  they 
weigh  from  10  to  70  pounds  each,  and  are  taken  at  all  sea- 
sons of  the  year.  White  fish  are  caught  in  abundance 
in  the  straits  of  St.  Mary,  the  River  Detroit,  and  Lake  St. 
Clair.  Sturgeon  are  commonly  caught  in  all  the  lakes. 
The  beaver  frequent  the  rivers  running  into  Lake  Michi- 
gan. Bears,  wolves,  elk,  deer,  and  foxes,  are  also  found 
in  the  forests. 

The  territory,  when  first  discovered  by  the  whites,  was 
inhabited  by  a  tribe  of  Indians  called  Hurons.  This  tribe 
was  dispersed  by  the  Six  Nations,  and  the  French  began 
small  settlements  about  the  year  1670 ;  they  built  a  fort 
at  Detroit  and  Michilimackinack,  for  the  protection  of 
the  fur  trade.  In  1763  the  territory  was  ceded  to  Great 
Britain,  and  by  the  latter  to  the  United  States,  in  1783. 
No  improvement  or  settlement  of  any  account  was  com- 
menced, until  1787.  It  was  detached  from  the  Northwest 
Territory  in  1805,  and  erected  into  a  territorial  govern- 
ment, and  General  Hull  appointed  first  governor.  During 
the  late  war,  Detroit  and  Michilimackinack  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  British,  but  were  restored  on  the  return  of 
peace. 

COMMERCE. — The  territory  is  finely  situated  for  com- 
merce, being  almost  surrounded  by  navigable  waters, 
which  will  soon  be  connected  with  the  Mississippi  on  one 
side  by  canals,  and  is  already  connected  with  the  Atlantic 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  481 

Ocean  on  the  other.  The  vessels  which  navigate  the  lakes 
are  from  10  to  100  tons  burthen.  The  merchants  supply 
themselves  mostly  from  New-York.  Goods  are  trans- 
ported through  the  Erie  canal  to  Buffalo,  and  thence  to 
Detroit  by  steamboat,  or  other  lake  conveyance.  The 
navigation  has  greatly  increased  on  Lake  Erie  within 
a  few  years  ;  six  steamboats  navigate  this  lake ;  they 
formed  a  daily  line,  in  the  spring  of  1830,  from  Buffalo  to 
Detroit.  Large  numbers  of  emigrants  passed  Buffalo 
N.  Y.,  on  their  way  to  this  territory,  in  the  spring  of 
1830.  Many  were  leaving  the  states  of  Ohio,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  other  parts  of  the  Union,  for  the  St.  Joseph's 
country,  so  called,  more  particularly  than  for  any  other 
section  of  this  territory. 

POPULATION. — The  population,  exclusive  of  Indians, 
in  1810,  was  4702,  and  in  1820,  8896,  none  of  whom 
were  slaves.  The  population  has  very  greatly  increased 
since  the  last  census  was  taken.  The  settlements  are 
principally  in  the  southeast  part,  on  Lake  Erie,  the  River 
Detroit,  Lake  St.  Clair,  arid  the  runs  which  fall  into  them, 
particularly  the  Maumee,  Raisin,  and  Huron.  Detroit,  the 
capital  of  the  territory,  is  regularly  laid  out  on  the  west 
bank  of  Detroit  River,  nine  miles  from  Lake  St.  Clair.  It 
is  finely  situated  for  commerce,  and  was  first  settled  by 
the  French  from  Canada. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

President  Jackson'' s  Administration. 

Congress  assembled  December,  1829.  The  president's 
message  was  communicated  to  both  houses  on  the  eighth. 
We  make  a  few  extracts  from  the  same. 

"It  affords  me  pleasure  to  tender  my  friendly  greetings 
to  you,  on  the  occasion  of  your  assembling  at  the  seat  of 
government  to  enter  upon  the  important  duties  to  which 
you  have  been  called  by  the  voice  of  our  countrymen. 
The  task  devolves  on  me,  under  a  provision  of  the  consti- 
tution, to  present  to  you.  as  the  federal  legislature  of 

41 


483  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

twenty-four  sovereign  states,  and  twelve  millions  of  happy 
people,  a  view  of  your  affairs,  and  to  propose  such  mea- 
sures as,  in  the  discharge  of  my  official  functions,  have 
suggested  themselves  as  necessary  to  promote  the  objects 
of  our  Union. 

"In  communicating  with  you  for  the  first  time,  it  is,  to 
me,  a  source  of  unfeigned  satisfaction,  calling  for  mutual 
gratulation,  and  devout  thanks  to  a  benign  Providence, 
that  we  are  at  peace  with  all  mankind,  and  that  our  coun- 
try exhibits  the  most  cheering  evidence  of  general  wel- 
fare, and  progressive  improvement.  Turning  our  eyes 
to  other  nations,  our  great  desire  is  to  see  our  brethren  of 
the  human  race  secured  in  the  blessings  enjoyed  by  our- 
selves, and  advancing  in  knowledge,  in  freedom,  and  in 
social  happiness. 

"Our  foreign  relations,  although  in  their  general  charac- 
ter pacific  and  friendly,  present  subjects  of  difference  be- 
tween us  and  other  powers,  of  deep  interest,  as  well  to 
the  country  at  large,  as  to  many  of  our  citizens.  To 
effect  an  adjustment  of  these  shall  continue  to  be  the  ob- 
ject of  my  earnest  endeavours ;  and,  notwithstanding  the 
difficulties  of  the  task,  I  do  not  allow  myself  to  apprehend 
unfavourable  results.  Blessed  as  our  country  is  with 
every  thing  that  constitutes  national  strength,  she  is  fully 
adequate  to  the  maintenance  of  all  her  interests.  In  dis- 
charging the  responsible  trust  confided  to  the  executive 
in  this  respect,  it  is  my  settled  purpose  to  ask  nothing  that 
is  not  clearly  right,  and  to  submit  to  nothing  that  is  wrong, 
and  I  flatter  myself  that,  supported  by  the  other  branches 
of  the  government,  and  by  the  intelligence  and  patriotism 
of  the  people,  we  shall  be  able,  under  the  protection  of 
Providence,  to  cause  all  our  just  rights  to  be  respected. 

"  Of  the  unsettled  matters  between  the  United  States  and 
other  powers,  the  most  prominent  are  those  which  have, 
for  years,  been  the  subject  of  negociation  with  England, 
France,  and  Spain.  The  late  periods  at  which  our  minis- 
ters to  those  governments  left  the  United  States,  render  it 
impossible,  at  this  early  day,  to  inform  you  of  what  has 
been  done  on  the  subjects  with  which  they  have  been  re- 
spectively charged.  Relying  upon  the  justice  of  our  views 
in  relation  to  the  points  committed  to  negociation,  and  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  483 

reciprocal  good  feeling  which   characterizes   our  inter 
course  with  those  nations,  we  have  the  best  reason   to 
hope  for  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of  existing  differences. 

"  With  Great  Britain,  alike  distinguished  in  peace  and 
war,  we  may  look  forward  to  years  of  peaceful,  honour- 
able, and  elevated  competition.  Every  thing  in  the  condi- 
tion and  history  of  the  two  nations  is  calculated  to  inspire 
sentiments  of  mutual  respect,  and  to  carry  conviction  to 
the  minds  of  both,  that  it  is  their  policy  to  preserve  the 
most  cordial  relations.  Such  are  my  own  views,  and  it  is 
not  to  be  doubted  that  such  are  also  the  prevailing  senti- 
ments of  our  constituents.  Although  neither  time  nor 
opportunity  has  been  afforded  for  a  full  developement  of 
the  policy  which  the  present  cabinet  of  Great  Britain  de- 
signs to  pursue  towards  this  country,  I  indulge  the  hope 
that  it  will  be  of  a  just  and  pacific  character ;  and  if  this 
anticipation  be  realized,  we  may  look  with  confidence  to 
a  speedy  and  acceptable  adjustment  of  our  affairs. 

"  With  other  European  powers  our  intercourse  is  on 
the  most  friendly  footing.  In  Russia,  placed  by  her  terri- 
torial limits,  extensive  population,  and  great  power,  high 
in  the  rank  of  nations,  the  United  States  have  always 
found  a  stedfast  friend.  Although  her  recent  invasion  of 
Turkey  awakened  a  lively  sympathy  for  those  who  were 
exposed  to  the  desolations  of  war,  we  cannot  but  antici- 
pate that  the  result  will  prove  favourable  to  the  cause  of 
civilization,  and  to  the  progress  of  human  happiness. 
The  treaty  of  peace  between  these  powers  having  been 
ratified,  we  cannot  be  insensible  to  the  great  benefit  to  be 
derived  to  the  commerce  of  the  United  States,  from  un- 
locking the  navigation  of  the  Black  Sea — a  free  passage 
into  which  is  secured  to  all  merchant  vessels  bound  to 
ports  of  Russia,  under  a  flag  at  peace  with  the  Porte. 
This  advantage,  enjoyed  upon  conditions  by  most  of  the 
powers  of  Europe,  has  hitherto  been  withheld  from  us. 
During  the  past  summer,  an  antecedent,  but  unsuccessful 
attempt  to  obtain  it,  was  renewed,  under  circumstances 
which  promised  the  most  favourable  results.  Although 
these  results  have  fortunately  been  thus  in  part  attained, 
farther  facilities  to  the  enjoyment  of  this  new  field  for  the 
enterprise  of  our  citizens,  are,  in  my  opinion,  sufficiently 
desirable  to  ensure  to  them  our  most  zealous  attention. 


484  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

"  Our  trade  with  Russia,  although  of  secondary  impor- 
tance, has  been  gradually  increasing,  and  is  now  so  ex- 
tended as  to  deserve  the  fostering  care  of  the  government. 
A  negotiation,  commenced,  and  nearly  completed  with 
that  power,  by  the  late  administration,  has  been  consum- 
mated by  a  treaty  of  amity,  navigation,  and  commerce, 
which  will  be  laid  before  the  senate. 

"  Measures  have  been  taken  to  place  our  commercial 
relations  with  Peru  upon  a  better  footing  than  that  upon 
which  they  have  hitherto  rested,  and  if  met  by  a  proper 
disposition  on  the  part  of  that  government,  important  be- 
nefits may  be  secured  to  both  countries." 

In  relation  to  the  amendment  of  the  constitution,  re- 
specting the  election  of  president  and  vice-president,  he 
thus  speaks  : 

"  I  would  therefore  recommend  such  an  amendment  of 
the  constitution  as  may  remove  all  intermediate  agency 
in  the  election  of  president  and  vice-president.  The 
mode  may  be  so  regulated  as  to  preserve  to  each  state  its 
present  relative  weight  in  the  election  ;  and  a  failure  in 
the  first  attempt  may  be  provided  for,  by  confining  the 
second  to  a  choice  between  the  two  highest  candidates. 
In  connexion  with  such  an  amendment,  it  would  seem  ad- 
visable to  limit  the  service  of  the  chief  magistrate  to  a 
single  term,  of  either  four  or  six  years.  If,  however,  it 
should  not  be  adopted,  it  is  worthy  a  consideration  whe- 
ther a  provision  disqualifying  for  office  the  representatives 
in  congress,  on  whom  such  an  election  may  have  de- 
volved, would  not  be  proper. 

"  While  members  of  congress  can  be  constitutionally 
appointed  to  offices  of  trust  and  profit,  it  will  be  the  prac- 
tice, even  under  the  most  conscientious  adherence  to  duty, 
to  select  them  for  such  stations  as  they  are  believed  to  be 
better  qualified  to  fill  than  other  citizens  ;  but  the  purity 
of  our  government  would  doubtless  be  promoted  by  their 
exclusion  from  all  appointments  in  the  gift  of  the  presi- 
dent in  whose  election  they  may  have  been  officially  con- 
cerned. The  nature  of  the  judicial  office,  and  the  neces- 
sity of  securing  in  the  cabinet,  and  in  diplomatic  stations 
of  the  highest  rank,  the  best  talents  and  political  expe- 
rience, should,  perhaps,  except  these  from  the  exclusion. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  485 

There  are,  perhaps,  few  men  who  can*  for  any  great 
length  of  time,  enjoy  office  and  power,  without  being 
more  or  less  under  the  influence  of  feelings  unfavourable 
to  a  faithful  discharge  of  their  public  duties.  Their  in- 
tegrity may  be  proof  against  improper  considerations  im- 
mediately addressed  to  themselves,  but  they  are  apt  to  ac- 
quire a  habit  of  looking  with  indifference  upon  the  pub- 
lic interests,  and  of  tolerating  conduct  from  which  an  un- 
practised man  would  revolt.  Office  is  considered  as  a 
species  of  property  ;  and  government,  rather  as  a  means 
of  promoting  individual  interests,  than  as  an  instrument 
created  solely  for  the  service  of  the  people.  Corruption 
in  some,  and  in  others  a  perversion  of  correct  feelings 
and  principles,  divert  government  from  its  legitimate  ends, 
and  make  it  an  engine  for  the  support  of  the  few  at  the 
expense  of  the  many.  The  duties  of  all  public  officers 
are,  or,  at  least,  admit  of  being  made  so  plain  and  simple, 
that  men  of  intelligence  may  readily  qualify  themselves  for 
their  performance;  and  I  cannot  but  believe  that  more  is 
lost  by  the  long  continuance  of  men  in  office  than  is  gene- 
rally to  be  gained  by  their  experience.  I  submit,  therefore, 
to  your  consideration,  whether  the  efficiency  of  the  govern- 
ment would  not  be  promoted,  and  official  industry  and  in- 
tegrity better  secured,  by  a  general  extension  of  the  law 
which  limits  appointments  to  four  years. 

"  In  a  country  where  offices  are  created  solely  for  the 
benefit  of  the  people,  no  one  man  has  any  more  intrinsic 
right  to  official  station  than  another.  Offices  were  not 
established  to  give  support  to  particular  men  at  the  pub- 
lic expense.  No  individual  wrong  is  therefore  done  by 
removal,  since  neither  appointment  to,  nor  continuance 
in  office,  is  matter  of  right.  The  incumbent  became  an 
officer  with  a  view  to  public  benefits  ;  when  these  require 
his  removal,  they  are  not  to  be  sacrificed  to  private  inte- 
rests. It  is  the  people,  and  they  alone,  who  have  a  right 
to  complain,  when  a  bad  officer  is  substituted  for  a  good 
one.  He  who  is  removed  has  the  same  means  of  obtain- 
ing a  living  that  are  enjoyed  by  the  millions  who  never 
held  office.  The  proposed  limitation  would  destroy  the 
idea  of  property,  now  so  generally  connected  with  official 
station ;  and  although  individual  distress  may  be  sonte- 

41* 


486  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

times  produced,  it  would,  by  promoting  that  rotation 
which  constitutes  a  leading  principle  in  the  republican 
creed,  give  healthful  action  to  the  system. 

"  No  very  considerable  change  has  occurred  during  the 
recess  of  congress,  in  the  condition  of  either  our  agri- 
culture, commerce,  or  manufactures.  The  operation  of 
the  tariff  has  not  proved  so  injurious  to  the  two  former, 
nor  as  beneficial  to  the  latter,  as  was  anticipated.  Impor- 
tations of  foreign  goods  have  not  been  sensibly  dimi- 
nished ;  while  domestic  competition,  under  an  illusive  ex- 
citement, has  increased  the  production  much  beyond  the 
demand  for  home  consumption.  The  consequences  have 
been,  low  prices,  temporary  embarrassments,  and  partial 
loss.  That  such  of  our  manufacturing  establishments  as 
are  based  upon  capital,  and  are  prudently  managed,  will 
survive  the  shock,  and  be  ultimately  profitable,  there  is 
no  good  reason  to  doubt. 

"  To  regulate  its  conduct,  so  as  to  promote  equally  the 
prosperity  of  these  three  cardinal  interests,  is  one  of  the 
most  difficult  tasks  of  government ;  and  it  may  be  regret- 
ted that  the  complicated  restrictions  which  now  embar- 
rass the  intercourse  of  nations,  could  not,  by  common 
consent,  be  abolished,  and  commerce  allowed  to  flow  in 
those  channels,  to  which  individual  enterprise,  always  its 
surest  guide,  might  direct.  But  we  must  ever  expect 
selfish  legislation  in  other  nations,  and  are  therefore  com- 
pelled to  adapt  our  own  to  their  regulations,  in  the  man- 
ner best  calculated  to  avoid  serious  injury,  and  to  harmo- 
nize the  conflicting  interests  of  our  agriculture,  our  com- 
merce, and  our  manufactures.  Under  these  impressions, 
I  invite  your  attention  to  the  existing  tariff,  believing  that 
some  of  its  provisions  require  modification. 

"  The  general  rule  to  be  applied  in  graduating  the  duties 
upon  articles  of  foreign  growth  or  manufacture,  is  that 
which  will  place  our  own  in  fair  competition  with  those 
of  other  countries  ;  and  the  inducements  to  advance  even 
a  step  beyond  this  point,  are  controlling  in  regard  to  those 
articles  which  are  of  primary  necessity  in  time  of  war. 
When  we  reflect  upon  the  difficulty  and  delicacy  of  this 
operation,  it  is  important  that  it  should  never  be  attempt- 
ed but  with  the  utmost  caution.  Frequent  legislation,  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  487 

regard  to  any  branch  of  industry,  affecting  its  value,  and 
by  which  its  capital  may  be  transferred  to  new  channels, 
must  always  be  productive  of  hazardous  speculation  and 
loss. 

"  In  deliberating,  therefore,  on  these  interesting  sub- 
jects, local  feelings  and  prejudices  should  be  merged  in 
the  patriotic  determination  to  promote  the  great  interests 
of  the  whole.  All  attempts  to  connect  them  with  the  par- 
ty conflicts  of  the  day,  are  necessarily  injurious,  and 
should  be  discountenanced.  Our  action  upon  them  should 
be  under  the  control  of  higher  and  purer  motives.  Le- 
gislation, subjected  to  such  influences,  can  never  be  just, 
and  will  not  Jong  retain  the  sanction  of  a  people,  whose 
active  patriotism  is  not  bounded  by  sectional  limits,  nor 
insensible  to  that  spirit  of  concession  and  forbearance, 
which  gave  life  to  our  political  compact,  and  still  sustains 
it.  Discarding  all  calculations  of  political  ascendancy, 
the  north,  the  south,  the  east,  and  the  west,  should  unite 
in  diminishing  any  burthen,  of  which  either  may  justly 
complain. 

"The  agricultural  interest  of  our  country  is  so  essen- 
tially connected  with  every  other,  and  so  superior  in  im- 
portance to  them  all,  that  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  in- 
vite to  it  your  particular  attention.  It  is  principally  as 
manufactures  and  commerce  tend  to  increase  the  value 
of  agricultural  productions,  and  to  extend  their  appli- 
cation to  the  wants  and  comfort  of  society,  that  they  de- 
serve the  fostering  care  of  government. 

"  Looking  forward  to  the  period,  not  far  distant,  when 
a  sinking  fund  will  no  longer  be  required,  the  duties  on 
those  articles  of  importation  which  cannot  come  in  com- 
petition with  our  own  productions,  are  the  first  that  should 
engage  the  attention  of  congress  in  the  modification  of 
the  tariff.  Of  these,  tea  and  coffee  are  the  most  promi- 
nent; they  enter  largely  into  the  consumption  of  the 
country,  and  have  become  articles  of  necessity  to  all 
classes.  A  reduction,  therefore,  of  the  existing  duties, 
will  be  felt  as  a  common  benefit ;  but,  like  all  other  legis- 
lation connected  with  commerce,  to  be  efficacious,  and 
not  injurious,  it  ^hould  be  gradual  and  certain. 

44  The  public  prosperity  is  evinced  in  the  increased  re- 


488  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

venue  arising  from  the  sales  of  public  lands,  and  in  the 
steady  maintenance  of  that  produced  by  imposts  and  ton- 
nage, notwithstanding  the  additional  duties  imposed  by 
the  act  of  19th  of  May,  1828,  and  the  unusual  importation 
in  the  early  part  of  that  year. 

The  balance  in  the  treasury  on  the  1st  of  January,  1829, 
was  five  millions  nine  hundred  and  seventy-two  thousand 
four  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars  and  eighty-one  cents. 
The  receipts  of  the  current  year  are  estimated  at  twenty 
four  millions  six  hundred  and  two  thousand  two  hundred 
and  thirty  dollars ;  and  the  expenditures  for  the  same 
time  at  twenty-six  millions  one  hundred  and  sixty-four 
thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety-five  dollars ;  leaving  a 
balance  in  the  treasury  on  the  1st  of  January  next,  of  four 
millions  four  hundred  and  ten  thousand  and  seventy  dol- 
lars and  eighty-one  cents. 

**  There  will  have  been  paid,  on  account  of  the  public 
debt,  during  the  present  year,  the  sum  of  twelve  millions 
four  hundred  and  five  thousand  and  five  dollars  and  eighty 
cents ;  reducing  the  whole  debt  of  the  government,  on  the 
1st  of  January  next,  to  forty-eight  millions  five  hundred 
and  sixty-five  thousand  four  hundred  and  six  dollars  and 
fifty  cents,  including  seven  millions  of  five  per  cent,  stock, 
subscribed  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States. — The  pay- 
ment on  account  of  the  public  debt,  made  on  the  first  of 
July  last,  was  eight  millions  seven  hundred  and  fifteen 
thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty-two  dollars  and  eighty- 
seven  cents.  It  was  apprehended  that  the  sudden  with- 
drawal of  so  large  a  sum  from  the  banks  in  which  it  was 
deposited,  at  a  time  of  unusual  pressure  in  the  money 
market,  might  cause  much  injury  to  the  interest  depend- 
ant on  bank  accommodations.  But  this  evil  was  wholly 
averted  by  an  early  anticipation  of  it  at  the  treasury,  aided 
by  the  judicious  arrangements  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States. 

"This  state  of  the  finances  exhibits  the  resources  of  the 
nation  in  an  aspect  highly  flattering  to  its  industry,  and 
auspicious  of  the  ability  of  the  government,  in  a  very  short 
time,  to  extinguish  the  public  debt.  When  this  shall  be 
done,  our  population  will  be  relieved  from  a  considerable 
portion  of  its  present  burthens  ; — and  wrill  find,  not  only 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  489 

lew  motives  to  patriotic  affection,  but  additional  means 
for  the  display  of  individual  enterprise.  The  fiscal  power 
of  the  states  will  also  be  increased,  and  may  be  more 
extensively  exerted  in  favour  of  education  and  other  pub- 
lic objects  ;  while  ample  means  will  remain  in  the  federal 
government  to  promote  the  general  weal,  in  all  the  modes 
permitted  to  its  authority. 

"After  the  extinction  of  the  public  debt,  it  is  not  probable 
that  any  adjustment  of  the  tariff,  upon  principles  satisfac- 
tory to  the  people  of  the  Union,  will,  until  a  remote  pe- 
riod, if  ever,  leave  the  government  without  a  considerable 
surplus  in  the  treasury,  beyond  what  may  be  required  for 
its  current  service.  As  then  the  period  approaches  when 
the  application  of  the  revenue  to  the  payment  of  debt  will 
cease,  the  disposition  of  the  surplus  will  present  a  subject 
for  the  serious  deliberation  of  congress ;  and  it  may  be 
fortunate  for  the  country  that  it  is  yet  to  be  decided.  Con- 
sidered in  connexion  with  the  difficulties  which  have  here- 
tofore attended  appropriations  for  purposes  of  internal 
improvement,  and  with  those  which  this  experience  tell 
us  will  certainly  arise,  whenever  power  over  such  subjects 
may  be  exercised  by  the  general  government,  it  is  hoped 
that  it  may  lead  to  the  adoption  of  some  plan  which  will 
reconcile  the  diversified  interests  of  the  states,  and 
strengthen  the  bonds  which  unite  them.  Every  member 
of  the  Union,  in  peace  and  in  war,  will  be  benefitted  by 
the  improvement  of  inland  navigation  and  the  construction 
of  highways  in  the  several  states. — Let  us  then  endeavour 
to  attain  this  benefit  in  a  mode  which  will  be  satisfactory 
to  all.  Tha^  hitherto  adopted  has,  by  many  of  our  fellow 
citizens,  been  deprecated  as  an  infraction  of  the  constitu- 
tion, while  by  others,  it  has  been  viewed  as  inexpedient. 
All  feel  that  it  has  been  employed  at  the  expense  of  har- 
mony in  legislative  councils. 

"The  condition,  and  ulterior  destiny  of  the  Indian  tribes 
within  the  limits  of  some  of  our  states,  have  become  ob- 
jects of  much  interest  and  importance.  It  has  long  been 
the  policy  of  government  to  introduce  among  them  the 
arts  of  civilization,  in  the  hope  of  gradually  reclaiming 
them  from  a  wandering  life.  This  policy  has,  however, 
been  coupled  with  another,  wholly  incompatible  with  its 


490  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

success.  Professing  a  desire  to  civilize  and  settle  them, 
we  have,  at  the  same  time,  lost  no  opportunity  to  pur- 
chase their  lands,  and  thrust  them  farther  into  the  wilder- 
ness. By  this  means  they  have  not  only  been  kept  in  a 
wandering  state,  but  been  led  to  look  upon  us  as  unjust, 
and  indifferent  to  their  fate.  Thus,  though  lavish  in  its 
expenditures  upon  the  subject,  government  has  constantly 
defeated  its  own  policy  ;  and  the  Indians,  in  general,  re- 
ceding farther  to  the  west,  have  retained  their  savage 
habits.  A  portion,  however,  of  the  southern  tribes  hav 
ing  mingled  much  with  the  whites,  and  made  some  pro 
gress  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  have  lately  attempted  to 
erect  an  independent  government  within  the  limits  of 
Georgia  and  Alabama.  These  states,  claiming  to  be  the 
only  sovereigns  within  their  territories,  extend  their  laws 
over  'the  Indians,  which  induced  the  latter  to  call  upon 
the  United  States  for  protection. 

"  Under  these  circumstances,  the  question  presented  was, 
whether  the  general  government  had  a  right  to  sustain 
those  people  in  their  pretensions  ?  The  constitution  de- 
clares, that  '  no  new  state  shall  be  formed  or  erected 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  other  state,'  without  the 
consent  of  its  legislature.  If  the  general  government  is 
not  permitted  to  tolerate  the  erection  of  a  confederate 
state  within  the  territory  of  one  of  the  members  of  this 
Union,  against  her  consent,  much  less  could  it  allow  a 
foreign  and  independent  government  to  establish  itsell 
there.  Georgia  became  a  member  of  the  confederacy 
which  eventuated  in  our  federal  union,  as  a  sovereign 
state,  always  asserting  her  claim  to  certain  limits ;  which, 
having  been  originally  defined  in  her  colonial  charter, 
and  subsequently  recognised  in  the  treaty  of  peace,  she 
has  ever  since  continued  to  enjoy,  except  as  they  have 
been  circumscribed  by  her  own  voluntary  transfer  of  a 
portion  of  her  territory  to  the  United  States,  in  the  arti- 
cles of  cession  of  1802.  Alabama  was  admitted  into  the 
Union  on  the  same  footing  with  the  original  states,  with 
boundaries  which  were  prescribed  by  congress.  There 
is  no  constitutional,  conventional,  or  legal  provision, 
which  allows  them  less  power  over  the  Indians  within 
their  border,  than  is  possessed  by  Maine  or  New- York. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  491 

Would  the  people  of  Maine  permit  the  Penobscot  tribe 
to  erect  an  independent  government  within  their  state  ? 
and,  unless  they  did,  would  it  not  be  the  duty  of  the  gene- 
ral government  to  support  them  in  resisting  such  a  mea- 
sure ?  Would  the  people  of  New-York  permit  each  rem- 
nant of  the  Six  Nations  within  her  borders,  to  declare 
itself  an  independent  people,  under  the  protection  of  the 
United  States  ?  Could  the  Indians  establish  a  separate 
republic  on  each  of  their  reservations  in  Ohio  ?  And  if 
they  were  so  disposed,  would  it  be  the  duty  of  this  go- 
vernment to  protect  them  in  the  attempt  ?  If  the  princi- 
ple involved  in  the  obvious  answer  to  these  questions  be 
abandoned,  it  will  follow,  that  the  objects  of  this  govern- 
ment are  reversed,  and  that  it  has  become  a  part  of  its 
duty  to  aid  in  destroying  the  states  which  it  was  establish- 
ed to  protect. 

"  Actuated  by  this  view  of  the  subject,  I  informed  the  In- 
dians inhabiting  parts  of  Georgia  and  Alabama  that  their 
attempt  to  establish  an  independent  government  would 
not  be  countenanced  by  the  Executive  of  the  United  States, 
and  advised  them  to  emigrate  beyond  the  Mississippi,  or 
submit  to  the  laws  of  those  states. 

"Our  conduct  towards  these  people  is  deeply  interesting 
to  our  national  character. — Their  present  condition,  con- 
trasted with  what  they  once  were,  makes  a  most  power- 
ful appeal  to  our  sympathies.  Our  ancestors  found  them 
the  uncontrolled  possessors  of  these  vast  regions.  By 
persuasion  and  force,  they  have  been  made  to  retire  from 
river  to  river,  and  from  mountain  to  mountain,  until  some 
of  the  tribes  have  become  extinct,  and  others  have  left  but 
remnants  to  preserve,  for  a  while,  their  once  terrible 
names.  Surrounded  by  the  whites,  with  their  arts  of  ci- 
vilization, which,  by  destroying  the  resources  of  the  sa- 
vage, doom  him  to  weakness  and  decay,  the  fate  of  the 
Mohegan,  the  Narragansett,  and  the  Delaware,  is  fast  over- 
taking the  Choctaw,  the  Cherokee,  and  the  Creek.  That 
this  fate  surely  awaits  them,  if  they  remain  within  the 
limits  of  the  states,  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt. — Humanity 
and  national  honour  demand  that  every  effort  should  be 
made  to  avert  so  great  a  calamity.  It  is  too  late  to  in- 
qm're  whether  it  was  iust  in  the  United  States  to  include 


492  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

them  and  their  territory  within  the  bounds  of  new  states 
whose  limits  they  could  control.  That  step  cannot  be 
retraced.  A  state  cannot  be  dismembered  by  congress, 
or  restricted  in  the  exercise  of  her  constitutional  power. 
But  the  people  of  these  states,  and  of  every  state,  actuated 
by  feeling's  of  justice  and  regard  for  our  national  honour, 
submit  to  you  the  interesting  question,  whether  something 
cannot  be  done,  consistently  with  the  rights  of  the  states, 
to  preserve  this  much  injured  race  ? 

"  As  a  means  for  effecting  this,  end,  I  suggest  for  youi 
consideration,  the  propriety  of  setting  apart  an  ample  dis- 
trict west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  without  the  limits  of  any 
state  or  territory,  now  formed,  to  be  guaranteed  to  the 
Indian  tribes,  as  long  as  they  shall  occupy  it :  each  tribe 
having  a  distinct  control  over  the  portion  designated  for 
its  use. — There  they  may  be  secured  in  the  enjoyment  of 
governments  of  their  own  choice,  subject  to  no  other  con- 
trol from  the  United  States,  than  such  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontier,  and  between  the 
several  tribes.  There  the  benevolent  may  endeavour  to 
teach  them  the  arts  of  civilization ;  and  by  promoting 
union  and  harmony  among  them,  to  raise  up  an  interest- 
ing commonwealth,  destined  to  perpetuate  the  race,  and 
to  attest  the  humanity  and  justice  of  this  government. 

"  This  emigration  should  be  voluntary  ;  for  rt  would  be 
as  cruel  as  unjust  to  compel  the  aborigines  to  abandon  the 
graves  of  their  fathers,  and  seek  a  home  in  a  distant  land. 
But  they  should  be  distinctly  informed,  that  if  they  re- 
main within  the  limits  of  the  states,  they  must  be  subject 
to  their  laws.  In  return  for  their  obedience,  as  individuals, 
they  will,  without  doubt,  be  protected  in  the  enjoyment 
of  those  possessions  which  they  have  improved  by  their 
industry.  But  it  seems  to  me  visionary  to  suppose,  that, 
in  this  state  of  things,  claims  can  be  allowed  on  tracts  of 
country  on  which  they  have  neither  dwelt  nor  made  im- 
provements, merely  because  they  have  seen  them  from 
the  mountain,  or  passed  them  in  the  chase.  Submitting 
to  the  laws  of  the  states,  and  receiving,  like  other  citizens, 
protection  in  their  persons  and  property,  they  will,  ere 
long,  become  merged  in  the  mass  of  our  population." 

"  I  cannot  close  this  communication  without  bringing 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  493 

to  your  view  the  just  claim  of  the  representatives  of  Com- 
modore Decatur,  his  officers  and  crew,  arising-  from  the 
recapture  of  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  under  the  heavy 
batteries  of  Tripoli.  Although  sensible,  as  a  general  rule, 
of  the  impropriety  of  executive  interference  under  a  go- 
vernment like  ours,  where  every  individual  enjoys  the 
right  of  directly  petitioning  congress,  yet  viewing  this 
case  as  one  of  very  peculiar  character,  I  deem  it  my  duty 
to  recommend  it  to  your  favourable  consideration.  Be* 
sides  the  justice  of  this  claim,  as  corresponding  to  those 
which  have  been  since  recognized  and  satisfied,  it  is  the 
fruit  of  a  deed  of  patriotic  and  chivalrous  daring,  which 
infused  life  and  confidence  into  our  infant  navy,  and  con- 
tributed, as  much  as  any  exploit  in  its  history,  to  elevate 
our  national  character;  public  gratitude,  therefore,  stamps 
her  seal  upon  it ;  and  the  meed  should  not  be  withheld 
which  may  hereafter  operate  as  a  stimulus  to  our  gallant 
tars. 

"  I  now  commend  you,  fellow  citizens,  to  the  guidance  of 
Almighty  God,  with  a  full  reliance  on  his  merciful  provi- 
dence for  the  maintenance  of  our  free  institutions,  and 
with  an  earnest  supplication,  that,  whatever  errors  it  may 
be  my  lot  to,  commit,  in  discharging  the  arduous  duties 
which  have  devolved  on  me,  I  will  find  a  remedy  in  the 
harmony  and  wisdom  of  your  counsels." 

In  the  house  of  representatives,  March  18th,  1830,  the 
committee  on  lands  for  education,  report  as  follows: 

The  title  of  the  United  States  to  public  lands  is  de- 
rived from  four  sources  :  first,  treaties  with  foreign  pow- 
ers ;  second,  cession  from  individual  states  to  the  United 
States,  on  the  recommendation  of  congress  under  the  old 
confederation;  third,  compact  with  Georgia;  fourth,  trea- 
ty with  the  Indian  tribe?.  Soon  after  the  declaration  of 
independence,  an  important  question  was  agitated,  in  re- 
ference to  that  portion  of  the  United  States  then  wild  and 
unappropriated,  called  the  western  country.  Some  few 
of  the  states  claimed  it  as  their  own  separate  property 
Others  denied  the  existence  of  such  rights,  and  contend- 
ed, that  the  vacant  lands  of  the  west,  that  might  fall  from 
the  crown  by  the  united  efforts  of  the  people,  ought  to 
be  regarded  as  the  common  property  of  all  the  states. 
42 


494  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

They  were  then  considered  as  a  great  fund,  nut  of  which 
the  debt  of  the  revolution  would  be  principally  paid; 
and  it  was  declared  to  be  unjust,  that  certain  states  should 
engross  the  whole,  "  to  replace,  in  a  short  time,  tJieir  ex- 
penditures" while  the  others  contributed  equally  to  the 
acquisition  of  this  property ;  and  the  prosecution  of  the 
war  "would  be  left  to  sink  under  the  pressure  of  an  enor- 
mous debt"  Influenced  by  a  sense  of  common  justice, 
and  in  pursuance  of  the  resolution  of  the  old  congress, 
passed  in  ]780,  the  states  of  Virginia,  Massachusetts, 
Connecticut,  and  New-York,  whose  claims  comprehend 
the  whole  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  River,  after 
making  some  few  reservations,  ceded  the  same  to  the 
United  States.  In  1787,  South  Carolina  conveyed  to  the 
United  States  all  her  interest  beyond  her  present  bounda- 
ries. 

Since  the  adoption  of  the  present  constitution,  Nortli 
Carolina,  in  1790,  ceded  to  the  United  Slates  all  that  ter- 
ritory beyond  the  Allegany  mountains,  which  now  forms 
the  state  of  Tennessee ;  subject,  however,  to  so  many 
extensive  claims  previously  derived  from  that  state,  that 
the  government  has  realized  no  benefit  from  the  sales. 
All  the  cessions  conveyed  to  the  United  States  the  right 
of  soil,  as  well  as  jurisdiction,  to  the  territory  granted,  and 
declared,  in  terms  similar  to  the  language  made  use  of  in 
the  cession  of  Virginia,  whose  title  assumed  to  cover  the 
whole  northwestern  territory,  that  the  lands  so  ceded  shall 
be  considered  a  common  fund  for  the  use  and  benefit  of 
such  of  the  United  States  as  have  become,  or  shall  be- 
come, members  of  the  confederation,  or  federal  alliance 
of  said  states,  Virginia  inclusive,  according  to  their  re- 
spective proportion  in  the  general  charge  and  expendi- 
tures, and  shall  be  faithfully  and  bona  fide  disposed  of  for 
that  purpose,  and  no  other.  The  domains  thus  vested  in 
the  United  States,  was  upon  no  contingency  or  event  to 
revert  back  to  the  state  making  the  cession,  or  to  be- 
come the  separate  property  of  individual  states.  It  was 
expressly  made  a  common  fund,  and  a  trust  and  authority 
was  reposed  in  congress. 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  495 

As  fast  as  the  population  would  admit,  new  states  have 
been  created  upon  the  public  domain,  both  within  and 
out  of  the  northwestern  territory,  with  all  the  political 
.rights  of  the  original  states :  and,  upon  their  admission 
into  the  Union,  they  have  agreed,  by  express  compact, 
that  the  legislature  should  never  interfere  with  the  pri- 
mary disposal  of  the  soil,  nor  with  any  regulations  Con- 
gress might  find  necessary  for  securing  the  title  in  such 
soil  to  the  bona  fide  purchasers. 

In  exercise  of  the  trust  and  authority  to  dispose  of  the 
public  domain,  Congress  has  directed  extensive  surveys 
to  be  made  into  townships,  sections,  and  sub-divisions  of 
the  most  convenient  form,  exceeding  at  this  time  150 
millions  of  acres.  The  whole  quantity  that  has  been  sold 
to  the  first  of  January,  1830,  amounts  to  22,500,000  acres, 
for  which  the  sum  of  37,145,876  dollars  has  been  received 
and  paid  toward  the  redemption  of  the  public  debt. 

Besides  this  appropriation,  which  is  for  the  common 
benefit  of  every  state,  Congress  has  granted  one  entire 
section  of  land,  equal  to  640  acres,  in  each  township,  of 
six  miles  square,  in  all  the  states  upon  the  national  terri- 
tory, amounting,  in  the  whole,  to  upwards  of  5,000,000 
acres,  to  be  enjoyed  by  the  inhabitants  of  such  towns  for- 
ever for  the  use  of  schools.  It  has  also  granted  to  the 
same  states,  the  salt  springs,  and  one  twentieth  part  of 
the  money  arising  from  the  sale  of  lands,  for  the  con- 
struction of  roads  and  canals.  In  addition  to  these  gene- 
ral grants,  extensive  donations  have  been  made  by  par- 
ticular acts  of  Congress,  for  colleges,  academies,  numer- 
ous individuals,  canals,  the  improvement  of  navigable 
rivers,  and  for  other  objects  of  local  as  well  as  national 
concerns.  Gratuities  of  the  public  lands  were  formerly 
made  with  much  caution,  and  with  a  sparing  hand.  Of 
late,  however,  a  greater  liberality  has  been  manifested, 
and  in  the  years  1827  and  1828,  the  donations  for  internal 
improvement  alone  exceeded  the  amount  of  sales.  Al- 
though most  of  those  grants  may  be  for  the  advancement 
of  useful  or  national  objects,  yet,  from  the  nature  of  the 
appropriations,  they  will  often  be  partial  in  their  opera- 
tions, and  confer  privileges  upon  some  sections  of  the 
country,  not  equally  imparted  to  others.  If  the  whole  of 
the  public  domains  should  be  disposed  of  by  special  act  of 


496  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

Congress,  a  great  increase  of  difficult  legislation  would  be 
incurred,  and,  with  the  most  patient  industry,  and  purest 
intention,  it  would  be  impossible  for  Congress  to  make  the 
apportionments  to  the  different  parts  of  the  Union,  so  as 
to  render  equal  justice,  and  give  general  satisfaction.  In 
regulating  the  sale  of  the  public  land,  the  price  has  ever 
been  regarded  as  a  subject  of  great  delicacy  and  import- 
ance. Whether  it  is  now  too  high,  or  too  low,  or  should 
be  graduated  in  future,  the  committee  would  not  under- 
take to  express  any  opinion.  Some  sentiments  have  been 
advanced,  that  a  liberal  policy  should  induce  Congress  to 
reduce  the  price  to  a  very  low  rate  for  the  benefit  of  new 
states,  and  even  to  grant  the  lands  without  any  considera- 
tion to  all  who  might  be  induced  to  take  possession  for 
the  purpose  of  cultivation.  The  committee  are  fully  of 
the  opinion  that  the  public  domains  ought  not  to  be  re- 
garded as  a  source  of  great  revenue,  yet  it  cannot  be  given 
away  to  individuals,  nor  even  in  any  partial  manner,  with- 
out violating  the  vested  rights  of  the  states,  and  the  trust 
that  is  reposed  in  the  general  government.  The  price 
ought  never  to  be  so  high  as  to  obstruct  emigration,  and 
cramp  the  vigorous  growth  of  the  west,  or  reduced  so  low 
as  to  encourage  speculation,  or  depress  materially  the 
value  of  land  heretofore  purchased,  or  the  general  agri- 
cultural interest  of  the  country ;  but  fixed  at  a  moderate 
standard,  which  shall  render  the  acquisition  of  farms  easy 
to  all  persons  of  small  means  and  common  industry,  and 
secure  the  settlement  of  the  new  lands  as  fast  as  the  in- 
crease of  the  population  will  admit. 

Since  the  commencement  of  President  Jackson's  ad- 
ministration, a  treaty  has  been  concluded  with  Great 
Britain  in  relation  to  the  trade  between  the  United  States 
and  her  West  India  and  North  American  Colonies,  which 
has  settled  a  question  that  has  for  years  afforded  matter 
for  contention,  and  almost  uninterrupted  discussion,  and 
which  has  been  the  subject  of  no  less  than  six  negotia- 
tions, in  a  manner  which  promises  results  highly  favoura- 
ble both  to  this  country  and  to  Great  Britain.  The  nego- 
tiation which  brought  about  this  desirable  arrangement, 
was  characterized  throughout,  by  the  most  frank  and 
friendly  spirit  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  and  conclud- 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  497 

ed  in  a  manner  strongly  indicative  of  a  sincere  desire  to 
cultivate  the  best  relations  with  the  United  States. 

Treaties  equally  advantageous  and  honourable  to  this 
country  have  also  been  concluded  with  the  government 
of  France,  Denmark,  Brazil,  and  Colombia,  by  which  the 
claims  of  American  citizens  against  them  have  been 
acknowledged  and  paid.  Some  of  these  claims  were 
of  long  standing,  more  especially  that  preferred  against 
France  ;  but  by  the  energy  and  labour  of  our  minister  re- 
sident at  that  Court,  and  the  magnanimity  of  the  present 
king,  Louis  Philip,  this  claim  has  been  allowed.  This 
event,  we  trust,  will  serve  to  remove  those  prejudices, 
which  the  long  deferment  of  justice  to  our  citizens,  had 
engendered  in  the  bosoms  of  many,  and  restore  that  har- 
mony and  friendship  which  united  the  two  nations  during 
our  Revolution,  and  for  some  years  subsequent. 

Treaties  of  commerce  with  Colombia  and  Mexico  have 
been  advantageously  made.  That  concluded  with  the 
former  government  has  released  our  merchants  from  an 
oppressive  duty  of  discrimination  which  was  imposed  on 
our  commerce,  and  has  proved  of  considerable  benefit  to 
our  commercial  interests. 

On  the  7th  of  April,  1831,  the  Secretary  of  War  tender- 
ed his  resignation  to  the  President,  also  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  and  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  handed  theirs  ; 
all  of  which  were  accepted;  and  on  the  llth  of  the  same 
month,  the  Secretary  of  State  tendered  his  resignation  to 
the  President,  whicfi  was  accepted. 

The  President  then  proceeded  to  appoint  the  following 
gentlemen  to  fill  the  places  of  the  above  vacancies : — 
Edward  Livingston,  Secretary  of  State ;  Lewis  M'Lane, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury ;  Lewis  Cass,  Secretary  of 
War ;  Levi  Woodbury,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  ;  Roger  B. 
Taney,  Attorney  General ;  Wm.  T.  Barry,  Post  Master 
General. 

The  national  debt  has  been  in  some  degree  diminished. 
Mr.  M'Lane,  the  present  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  has 
given  notice  for  the  payment  of  six  millions  of  dollars  on 
the  first  of  January,  1832.  * 


498 


UNIVERSAL  HISTORY. 


NEW  CENSUS. 

AN  ABSTRACT  of  a  "  careful  revision  of  the  enumeration 
of  the  United  States,  for  the  years  1790,  1800,  1810,  1820, 

and  1830,"  compiled  at  the  Department  of  State,  agreeably 
to  law  ;  and  an  abstract  from  the  aggregate  returns  of  the 
several  Marshals  of  the  United  States  of  the  "  Fifth  Census." 

STATES.              1790. 

1800. 

1810.      |       1820. 

1330. 

Maine, 

96,540 

151,719 

228.705 

298,335 

399,468 

N.  Hampshire, 

141,899 

183,76 

1 

214,360 

244,161 

269.533 

Massachusetts, 

378,717 

423,24 

5 

472,040 

523,287 

610,014 

Rhode  Island, 

69.110 

69,12 

2 

77,031 

83,059 

97,210 

Connecticut, 

238,141 

'    251002 

268,012 

275,2132 

297,711 

Vermont, 

85,416 

154,46 

b 

216,713 

235,764 

280,679 

New-York, 

340,120 

586,75 

> 

959,049 

1,372,812 

1.913,503 

i  New-Jersey, 

184,139 

214,949 

245.555 

277,575 

'320.779 

Pennsylvania, 

434,373 

602.36 

3 

810  091 

1,049,458 

1,347,672 

Delaware, 

59,096 

64,27 

i 

72,674 

72,749 

76,739 

Maryland, 

319,728 

341,54 

a 

380,546 

407,350 

446,913 

Dist.  Columb. 

14,09 

s 

24,022 

33,039 

39,588 

Virgin  in, 

748,308 

880,200 

974,622 

1,065,379 

1,211,266 

North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina, 

393,751 
2491073 

478,103         555,500 
345,591         415,115 

638.829 
502,741 

738,470 
581,458 

Georgia, 

82,548        162,10 

1         252,433 

340,987 

516,504 

j  Kentucky, 

73,077 

220,55 

5         406.511 

564,317 

688,844 

Tennessee, 

35,791 

105,60 

2 

2^1  727 

422,813 

684.822 

Ohio, 

45,36 

3 

230.760 

581,434 

937,679 

Indiana, 

4,37 

) 

24,520 

147,178 

341,582 

Mississippi, 

8,85 

J 

40.352 

75,448 

136,806 

Illinois, 

12,282 

55,211 

157,575 

Louisiana, 

76,556 

153,407 

215,791 

Missouri, 

20,845 

66.5.% 

140,084 

Alabama, 

127,901 

309,206 

Michigan, 

4,762 

8,896 

31,128 

Arkansas, 

14,273 

30,383 

Florida, 

34,725 

3,929,827 

5,305,925 

7,289,314 

9,638,131 

12,856,407 

INCREASE  PER  CENT.  FROM  1820  TO  1830. 

Maine           33898 

South  Carolina,     ....     15.657 

New-Hampshire                     10  391 

Massachusetts,      ....     16.575 

Kentucky,    22.056 

Connecticut                               8  161 

Ohio,   61.998 

Vermont,                                  19  005 

Indiana    132087 

New-  York                               39  386 

Mississippi,      81  032 

New-Jersey                             15  563 

Illinois     185403 

Pennsylvania                          28416 

Delaware                                   -*>  4fi7 

Missouri       -    -                     nnasn 

9.712 
SflfiSQ 

Alabama, 

141  574 

9fin  nsi 

Virginia                                   13069 

Arkansas                            .  113273 

North  Carolina                       i-^  -r>C|9 

Florida, 

Average  per  cent. 

J2.392 

OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  499 


CHAPTER  XX. 

HAVING  completed  the  History  so  far  as  to  include 
the  Fifth  Census,  we  shall  here  introduce  a  relation  of 
certain  adventures  achieved  by  two  of  the  revolutionary 
heroes.     We  were  unwilling  to  interrupt  the  thread  ol 
History  by  introducing  them  in   chronological  order 
The  interest  of  these  anecdotes  will  ensure  them  a  wel 
come  in  any  place. 

Adventures  of  Sergeant  Major  Ckampe. 

After  the  capture  and  conviction  of  Major  Andre  as  a 
spy,  September  10,  1780,  General  Washington  conceived 
the  project  of  capturing  General  Arnold,  then  in  New 
York,  and  releasing  Andre.  He  sent  for  Major  Lee  to 
his  quarters,  to  consult  with  him  on  the  subject,  and  pro- 
cure a  man  for  the  dangerous  enterprise. 

"  I  have  sent  for  you,"  said  General  Washington,  "  in 
the  expectation  that  you  have  some  one  in  your  corps, 
who  is  willing  to  undertake  a  delicate  and  hazardous 
project.  Whoever  comes  forward  will  confer  great 
obligations  upon  me  personally,  and,  in  behalf  of  the 
United  States,  I  will  reward  him  amply.  No  time  is  to 
be  lost :  he  must  proceed,  if  possible,  to-night.  I  intend 
to  seize  Arnold,  and  save  Andre." 

Major  Lee  named  a  sergeant  major  of  his  corps,  by 
the  name  of  Champe — a  native  of  Virginia,  a  man  full 
of  bone  and  muscle — with  a  countenance  grave,  thought- 
ful, and  taciturn — of  tried  courage,  and  inflexible  perse- 
verance. 

Champe  was  sent  for  by  Major  Lee,  and  the  plan  pro- 
posed. This  was,  for  him  to  desert — to  escape  to  New 
York — to  appear  friendly  to  the  enemy — to  watch 
Arnold,  and,  upon  some  fit  opportunity,  with  the  assist 
ance  of  some  one  whom  Champe  could  trust,  to  seize 
him,  and  conduct  him  to  a  place  on  the  river,  appointed, 
where  boats  should  be  in  readiness  to  bear  them  away. 

Champe  listened  to  the  plan  attentively — but,  with 
the  spirit  of  a  man  of  honour  and  integrity,  replied- — 


500  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

"  that  it  was  not  danger  nor  difficulty,  that  deterred  him 
from  immediately  accepting  the  proposal,  but  the  igno- 
miny of  desertion,  and  the  hypocrisy  of  enlisting  with 
the  enemy  /" 

To  these  objections,  Lee  replied,  that  although  he 
would  appear  to  desert,  yet  as  he  obeyed  the  call  of  his 
commander  in  chief,  his  departure  could  not  be  consid- 
ered as  criminal,  and  that,  if  he  suffered  in  reputation, 
for  a  time,  the  matter  would  one  day  be  explained  to  his 
credit.  As  to  the  second  objection,  it  was  urged,  that  to 
bring  such  a  man  as  Arnold  to  justice — loaded  with 
guilt  as  he  was — and  to  save  Andre — so  young — so 
accomplished — so  beloved — to  achieve  so  much  good  in 
the  cause  of  his  country — was  more  than  sufficient  to 
balance  a  wrong,  existing  only  in  appearance. 

The  objections  of  Champe  were  at  length  surmounted, 
and  he  accepted  the  service.  It  was  now  eleven  o'clock 
at  night.  With  his  instructions  in  his  pocket,  the  ser- 
geant returned  to  camp,  and,  taking  his  cloak,  valise, 
and  orderly  book,  drew  his  horse  from  the  picket,  and 
mounted,  putting  himself  upon  fortune. 

Scarcely  had  half  an  hour  elapsed,  before  Captain 
Carnes,  the  officer  of  the  day,  waited  upon  Lee,  who 
was  vainly  attempting  to  rest,  and  informed  him,  that 
one  of  the  patrol  had  fallen  in  with  a  dragoon,  who, 
being  challenged,  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  escaped. 
Lee,  hoping  to  conceal  the  flight  of  Champe,  or  at  least 
to  delay  pursuit,  complained  of  fatigue,  and  told  the  cap- 
tain that  the  patrol  had  probably  mistaken  a  country- 
man for  a  dragoon.  Carnes,  however,  was  not  thus  to 
be  quieted ;  and  he  withdrew  to  assemble  his  corps. 
On  examination,  it  was  found  that  Champe  was  absent. 
The  captain  now  returned,  and  acquainted  Lee  with  the 
discovery,  adding,  that  he  had  detached  a  party  to  pur- 
sue the  deserter,  and  begged  the  major's  written  orders. 

After  making  as  much  delay  as  practicable,  without 
exciting  suspicion,  Lee  delivers  his  orders—  in  which  he 
directed  the  party  to  take  Champe  if  possible.  "  Bring 
him  alive,"  said  he,  "  that  he  may  suffer  in  the  presence 
of  the  army ;  but  kill  him  if  he  resists,  or  if  he  escapes 
after  being  taken." 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  501 

A.  shower  of  rain  fell  soon  after  Champe's  departure, 
\vhich  enabled  the  pursuing  dragoons  to  take  the  trail  of 
his- horse,  his  shoes,  in  common  with  those  of  the  horses 
of  the  army,  being  made  in  a  peculiar  form,  and  each 
having  a  private  mark,  which  was  to  be  seen  in  the 
path. 

Middleton,  the  leader  of  the  pursuing  party,  left  the 
camp  a  few  minutes  past  twelve,  so  that  Champe  had  the 
start  of  but  little  more  than  an  hour — a  period  by  far 
shorter  than  had  been  contemplated.  During  the  night, 
the  dragoons  were  often  delayed  in  the  necessary  halts 
to  examine  the  road ;  but,  on  the  coming  of  morning, 
the  impression  of  the  horses  shoes  was  so  apparent,  that 
they  pressed  on  with  rapidity.  Some  miles  above  Ber- 
gen, a  village  three  miles  north  of  New  York,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Hudson,  on  ascending  a  hill,  Champe 
was  descried,  not  more  than  half  a  mile  distant.  For- 
tunately, Champe  descried  his  pursuers,  at  the  same 
moment,  and,  conjecturing  their  object,  put  spurs  to  his 
horse,  with  the  hope  of  escape. 

By  taking  a  different  road,  Champe  was,  for  a  time, 
lost  sight  of — but,  on  approaching  the  river,  he  was 
again  descried.  Aware  of  his  danger,  he  now  lashed 
his  valise,  containing  his  clothes  and  orderly  book,  to 
his  shoulders,  and  prepared  himself  to  plunge  into  the 
river,  if  necessary.  Swift  was  his  flight,  and  swift 
the  pursuit.  Middleton  and  his  party  were  within  a 
few  hundred  yards,  when  Champe  threw  himself  from 
•his  horse  and  plunged  into  the  river,  calling  aloud  upon 
some  British  galleys,  at  no  great  distance,  for  help.  A 
boat  was  instantly  despatched  to  the  sergeant's  assistance, 
and  a  fire  commenced  upon  the  pursuers.  Champe  was 
taken  on  board,  and  soon  after  carried  to  New  York, 
with  a  letter  from  the  captain  of  the  galley,  stating  the 
past  scene,  all  of  which  he  had  witnessed. 

The  pursuers  having  recovered  the  sergeant's  horse 
and  cloak,  returned  to  camp,  where  they  arrived  abou 
three  o'clock  the  next  day.  On  their  appearance  with 
the  well  known  horse,  the  soldiers  made  the  air  resound 
with  the  acclamations  that  the  scoundrel  was  killed. 
The  agony  of  Lee,  for  a  moment,  was  past  description, 


502  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

lest  the  faithful,  honourable,  intrepid  Champe  had  fallen. 
But  the  truth  soon  relieved  his  fears,  and  he  repaired  to 
Washington  to  impart  to  him  the  success,  thus  far,  of 
his  plan. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  Champe  in  New  York,  he 
was  sent  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  treated  him  kindly, 
but  detained  him  more  than  an  hour  in  asking  him 
questions,  to  answer  some  of  which,  without  exciting 
suspicion,  required  all  the  art  the  sergeant  was  master 
of.  He  succeeded,  however,  and  Sir  Henry  gave  him 
a  couple  of  guineas,  and  recommended  him  to  Arnold, 
who  was  wishing  to  procure  American  recruits.  Arnold 
received  him  kindly,  and  proposed  to  him  to  join  his 
legion ;  Champe,  however,  expressed  his  wish  to  retire 
from  war ;  but  assured  the  general,  that  if  he  should 
change  his  mind,  he  would  enlist. 

Champe  found  means  to  communicate  to  Lee  an 
account  of  his  adventures  ;  but,  unfortunately,  he  could 
not  succeed  in  taking  Arnold,  as  was  wished,  before  the 
execution  of  Andre.  Ten  days  before  Champe  brought 
his  project  to  a  conclusion,  Lee  received  from  him  his 
final  communication,  appointing  the  third  subsequent 
night  for  a  party  of  dragoons  to  meet  him  at  Hoboken, 
opposite  New  York,  when  he  hoped  to  deliver  Arnold 
to  the  officers. 

Champe  had  enlisted  into  Arnold's  legion,  from  which 
time  he  had  every  opportunity  he  could  wish,  to  attend 
to  the  habits  of  the  general.  He  discovered  that  it  was 
his  custom  to  return  home  about  twelve  every  night,  and 
that,  previously  to  going  to  bed,  he  always  visited  the 
garden.  During  this  visit,  the  conspirators  were  to 
seize  him,  and,  being  prepared  with  a  gag,  they  were  to 
apply  the  same  instantly. 

Adjoining  the  house  in  which  Arnold  resided,  and  in 
which  it  was  designed  to  seize  and  gag  him,  Champe 
had  taken  off  several  of  the  pailings  and  replaced  them, 
so  that  with  ease,  and  without  noise,  he  could  readily 
open  his  way  to  the  adjoining  alley.  Into  this  alley  he 
intended  to  convey  his  prisoner,  aided  by  his  compa- 
nion, one  of  two  associates,  who  had  been  introduced  by 
the  friend  to  whom  Champe  had  been  originally  made 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  603 

known  by  letter  from  the  commander  in  chiefj  and  with 
whose  aid  and  counsel,  he  had  so  far  conducted  the  enter- 
prise. His  other  associate  was  with  the  boat,  prepared, 
at  one  of  the  wharves  on  the  Hudson  river,  to  receive 
the  party. 

Champe  and  his  friend  intended  to  place  themselves 
each  under  Arnold's  shoulder,  and  thus  to  bear  him 
through  the  most  unfrequented  alleys  and  streets  to  the 
boat,  representing  Arnold,  in  case  of  being  questioned, 
as  a  drunken  soldier,  whom  they  were  conveying  to  the 
guard-house. 

When  arrived  at  the  boat,  the  difficulties  would  be  all 
surmounted,  there  being  no  danger  nor  obstacle  in  pass- 
ing to  the  Jersey  shore.  These  particulars,  as  soon  as 
made  known  to  Lee,  were  communicated  to  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  who  was  highly  gratified  with  the  much 
desired  intelligence.  He  desired  Major  Lee  to  meet 
Champe,  and  to  take  care  that  Arnold  should  not  be 
hurt. 

The  day  arrived,  and  Lee,  with  a  party  of  accoutred 
horses,  (one  for  Arnold,  one  for  the  sergeant,  and  the 
third  for  his  associate,  who  was  to  assist  in  securing 
Arnold,)  left  the  camp,  never  doubting  the  success  of  the 
enterprise,  from  the  tenor  of  the  last  received  communi- 
cation. The  party  reached  Hoboken  about  midnight, 
where  they  were  concealed  in  the  adjoining  wood — Lee, 
with  three  dragoons,  stationing  himself  near  the  shore 
of  the  river. — Hour  after  hour  passed,  but  no  boat 
approached. 

At  length  the  day  broke,  and  the  major  retired  to  his 
party,  and,  with  his  led  horses,  returned  to  the  camp, 
when  he  proceeded  to  head  quarters  to  inform  the  gene- 
ral of  the  much  lamented  disappointment,  as  mortifying 
as  inexplicable.  Washington,  having  perused  Champe's 
plan  and  communication,  had  indulged  the  presumption, 
that,  at  length,  the  object  of  his  keen  and  constant  pursuit 
was  sure  of  execution,  and  did  not  dissemble  the  joy 
which  such  a  conviction  produced.  He  was  chagrined 
at  the  issue,  and  apprehended  that  his  faithful  sergeant 
must  have  been  detected  in  the  last  scene  of  his  tedious 
tnd  difficult  enterprise. 


504  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

In  a  few  days,  Lee  received  an  anonymous  letter  from 
Champe's  patron  and  friend,  informing  him,  that  on  the 
day  preceding*  the  night  fixed  for  the  execution  of  the 
plot,  Arnold  had  removed  his  quarters  to  another  part 
of  the  town,  to  superintend  the  embarkation  of  troops, 
preparing,  as  was  rumored,  for  an  expedition  to  be  di- 
rected by  himself;  and  that  the  American  legion,  con- 
sisting chiefly  of  American  deserters,  had  been  transfer- 
red from  their  barracks  to  one  of  the  transports,  it  being 
apprehended  that  if  left  on  shore,  until  the  expedition 
was  ready,  many  of  them  might  desert. 

Thus  it  happened  that  John  Champe,  instead  of  cross- 
ing the  Hudson  that  night,  was  safely  deposited  on  board 
one  of  the  fleet  of  transports,  from  whence  he  never  de- 
parted, until  the  troops  under  Arnold  landed  in  Virginia. 
Nor  was  he  able  to  escape  from  the  British  army,  until 
after  the  junction  of  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Petersburg, 
when  he  deserted :  and  proceeding  high  up  into  Vir- 
ginia, he  passed  into  North  Carolina,  near  the  Saura 
towns,  and,  keeping  in  the  friendly  districts  of  that  State, 
safely  joined  the  army  soon  after  it  had  passed  the  Con- 
garee,  in  pursuit  of  Lord  Rawdon. 

His  appearance  excited  extreme  surprise  among  his 
former  comrades,  which  was  not  a  little  increased,  when 
they  saw  the  cordial  reception  he  met  with  from  the  late 
major,  now  Lieutenant  Col.  Lee.  His  whole  story  was 
soon  known  to  the  corps,  which  re-produced  the  love 
and  respect  of  officeis  and  soldiers,  heretofore  invariably 
entertained  for  the  sergeant,  heightened  by  universal 
admiration  of  his  late  daring  and  arduous  attempt. 

Champe  was  introduced  to  General  Greene,  who  very 
cheerfully  complied  with  the  promise  made  by  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  so  far  as  in  his  power;  and  having 
provided  the  sergeant  with  a  good  horse  and  money  for 
his  journey,  sent  him  to  general  Washington,  who  mu- 
nificently anticipated  every  desire  of  the  sergeant,  and 
presented  him  with  a  discharge  from  further  service, 
test  he  might,  in  the  vicissitudes  of  war,  fall  into  the 
^  hands  of  the  enemy,  when,  if  recognized,  he  was  sure  to 
die  on  a  gibbet. 

We  shall  only  add,  respecting  the  after  life  of  this 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  505 

interesting  adventurer,  that,  when  General  Washington 
was  called  by  President  Adams,  in  1798,  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  army,  prepared  to  defend  the  country 
against  French  hostility,  he  sent  to  Lieutenant  Col.  Lee, 
to  inquire  for  Champe;  being  determined  to  bring  him 
into  the  fiald  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  infantry.  Lee 
sent  to  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  where  Champe  settled 
after  his  discharge  from  the  army ;  when  he  learned 
that  the  gallant  soldier  had  removed  to  Kentucky,  where 
he  soon  after  died. 

General  Putnam's  adventure. 

General  Putnam,  who  had  been  stationed  with  a  re- 
spectable force  at  Reading,  in  Connecticut,  then  on  a 
visit  to  his  out-post,  at  Horse-Neck,  was  attacked  by 
Governor  Tryon,  with  one  thousand  five  hundred  men. 
Putnam  had  only  a  picket  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
and  two  field  pieces,  without  horses  or  drag  ropes.  He 
however  placed  his  cannon  on  the  high  ground  near  the 
meeting  house,  and  continued  to  pour  in  upon  the  ad- 
vancing foe,  until  the  enemy's  horse  appeared  upon  a 
charge.  The  general  now  hastily  ordered  his  men  to 
retreat  to  a  neighbouring  swamp,  inaccessible  to  horse, 
while  he  himself  put  spurs  to  his  steed,  and  plunged 
down  the  precipice  at  the  church. 

This  is  so  steep  as  to  have  artificial  stairs,  composed 
of  nearly  one  hundred  stone  steps,  for  the  accommodation 
of  worshippers  ascending  to  the  sanctuary.  On  the  ar 
rival  of  the  dragoons  at  the  brow  of  the  hill,  they  paused. 
thinking  it  too  dangerous  to  follow  the  steps  of  the  ad- 
venturous hero.  Before  any  could  go  round  the  hill 
and  descend,  Putnam  had  escaped,  uninjured  by  the 
many  balls  which  were  fired  at  him  in  his  descent ;  but 
one  touched  him,  and  that  only  passed  through  his  hat. 
He  proceeded  to  Stamford,  where,  having  strengthened 
his  picket  with  some  militia,  he  boldly  faced  about  and 
pursued  governor  Tryon  on  his  return. 
43 


506  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Events  of  1832  and  1833.  Indian  War.  Battle  of 
Wisconsin.  Battle  on  the  Mississippi,  August  2,  1 832. 
Andrew  Jackson  re-elected  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  Martin  Van  Buren  Vice-President. 

THE  recent  hostilities  commenced  by  the  Sac  and 
Fox  Indians,  may  be  traced  to  causes,  which  have  been 
for  some  time  in  operation,  and  which  left  little  doubt 
upon  the  minds  of  those  acquainted  with  the  savage  cha- 
racter, that  they  were  determined  to  commit  some  aggres- 
sion upon  the  frontier. 

The  confederated  tribes  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  have 
been  long  distinguished  for  their  daring  spirit  of  adven- 
ture, and  for  their  restless  and  reckless  disposition.  At 
the  commencement  of  the  eighteenth  century,  one  of  these 
tribes  made  a  desperate  attempt  to  seize  the  post  of  De- 
troit ;  and  during  a  period  of  forty  years,  subsequent  to 
that  effort,  they  caused  great  trouble  and  embarrass- 
ment to  the  French  colonial  government,  which  was 
only  terminated  by  a  most  formidable  military  expedi- 
tion, sent  by  that  enterprising  people  into  the  then  remote 
regions  west  of  Green  Bay. 

During  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  this  confed- 
eracy entered  zealously  into  the  contest,  and  was  among 
the  most  active  and  determined  of  our  enemies.  After 
the  peace,  their  communication  with  the  Canadian  au- 
thorities was  preserved  ;  and  every  year,  large  parties 
of  the  most  influential  chiefs  and  warriors  visited  Up- 
per Canada,  and  returned  laden  with  presents.  That 
this  continued  intercourse  kept  alive  feelings  of  attach- 
ment to  a  foreign  power,  and  weakened  the  proper  and 
necessary  influence  of  the  United  States,  is  known  to 
every  one,  who  has  marked  the  progress  of  events  and 
the  conduct  of  the  Indians  upon  the  north-western  fron- 
tier. The  tribes  upon  the  Upper  Mississippi,  particu- 
larly the  Sacs  and  Foxes  and  the  Winnebagoes,  confi- 
dent in  their  position,  and  in  their  natural  courage,  and 
totally  ignorant  of  the  vast  disproportion  between  their 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  507 

power  and  that  of  the  United  States,  have  always  been 
discontented,  keeping  the  frontier  in  alarm,  and  contin- 
ually committing  some  outrage  upon  the  persons  or  pro- 
perty of  the  inhabitants.  All  this  is  the  result  of  impulse, 
and  it  is  the  necessary  and  almost  inevitable  conse- 
quence of  institutions,  which  make  war  the  great  object 
of  life.  It  is  not  probable,  that  any  Indian,  seriously 
bent  upon  hostilities,  ever  stops  to  calculate  the  force 
of  the  white  man,  and  to  estimate  the  disastrous  conse- 
quences, which  we  know  must  be  the  result.  He  is 
impelled  onward  in  his  desperate  career  by  passions, 
which  are  fostered  and  encouraged  by  the  whole  frame  of 
society  ;  and  he  is,  very  probably,  stimulated  by  the  pre- 
dictions of  some  fanatical  leader,  who  promises  him  glo- 
ry, victory,  and  scalps. 

In  this  state  of  feeling,  and  with  these  incitements  to 
war,  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  claimed  the  right  of  occupying" 
a  part  of  the  country  upon  Rock  river,  even  after  it  had 
been  sold  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  settled 
by  them.  In  1829,  and  in  1830,  serious  difficulties 
resulted  from  their  efforts  to  establish  themselves  in  that 
section,  and  frequent  collisions  with  the  inhabitants  were 
the  consequence.  Representations  were  made  to  them, 
and  every  effort,  short  of  actual  hostilities,  used  by  the 
proper  officers,  to  induce  them  to  abandon  these  unfound- 
ed pretensions,  and  to  confine  themselves  to  their  own 
country  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  river.  These 
efforts  were  successful  with  the  well  disposed  portion  of 
the  tribes,  but  were  wholly  unavailing  with  the  band 
known  by  the  name  of  the  "British  party."  In  1831, 
their  aggressions  were  so  serious,  and  the  attitude  they 
assumed  so  formidable,  that  a  considerable  detachment 
of  the  army,  and  of  the  militia  of  Illinois,  was  called  in- 
to the  field,  and  the  disaffected  Indians,  alarmed  by  the 
preparation  for  their  chastisement,  agreed  to  reside  and 
hunt  "  upon  their  own  lands  west  of  the  Mississippi  riv- 
er," and  that  they  would  not  "  recross  this  river  to  the 
usual  place  of  their  residence,  nor  to  any  part  of  their 
old  hunting  grounds  east  of  the  Mississippi,  without  the 
express  permission  of  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
or  the  Governor  of  the  state  of  Illinois." 


508  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

This  arrangement  had  scarcely  been  concluded  be- 
fore a  flagrant  outrage  was  committed,  by  a  party  of 
these  Indians,  upon  a  band  of  friendly  Menomonies,  al- 
most under  the  guns  of  Fort  Crawford.  Twenty-five 
persons  were  wantonly  murdered,  and  many  wounded, 
while  encamped  in  the  village  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  and 
resting  in  fancied  security  upon  our  soil,  and  under  our 
flag.  If  an  act  like  this  had  been  suffered  to  pass  un- 
noticed and  unpunished,  a  war  between  these  tribes 
would  have  been  the  consequence,  in  which  our  fron- 
tiers would  have  been  involved,  and  the  character  and 
influence  of  the  government  would  have  been  lost  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Indians. 

Apprehensive  from  the  course  of  events  already  stated, 
and  from  other  circumstances,  that  the  disaffected  band 
of  Sacs  and  Foxes  would  again  harass  and  disturb  the 
settlements  upon  our  border?,  and  determined  that  the 
murderers  of  the  Menomonies  should  be  surrendered  or 
taken,  the  department  ordered  General  Atkinson,  on 
the  7th  of  March,  1832,  to  ascend  the  Mississippi  wiih 
the  disposable  regular  troops  at  Jefferson  Barracks ;  and 
to  strengthen  the  frontiers,  orders  were  given  for  the  re- 
occupation  of  Chicago. 

The  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  Menomonie 
murderers  was  entirely  disregarded  ;  and  the  "  British 
party"  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  recrossed  the  Mississippi, 
and,  assuming  a  hostile  attitude,  established  themselves 
upon  Rock  river. 

On  the  14th  of  May,  near  Dixon's  Ferry,  on  Rock 
river,  a  small  party  of  Indians  was  seen  displaying  a 
white  flag.  It  was  approached  by  a  company  of  militia 
to  ascertain  its  intentions.  The  Indians  receded,  for  the 
purpose  of  drawing  the  whites  into  an  ambuscade.  This 
induced  the  commanding  officer  to  fall  back ;  but  an- 
other officer  and  his  company  came  up,  passed  the  re- 
treating party,  and  pursued  the  enemy.  The  Indians 
now  showed  a  superior  force,  turned  and  attacked  the 
militia,  and  repulsed  the  whites  with  considerable  loss. 
Fifty-two  men  were  missed.  The  Indians  continued 
their  warfare,  and  many  defenceless  families  were  mas- 
sacred on  the  frontier  of  Illinois.  A  party  of  seven  or 


OP  THE  UNITED  STATES.  500 

eight,  with  the  Indian  agent,  St.  Vrain,  while  attempt- 
ing to  effect  a  passage  from  Galena  to  the  head  quarters 
of  the  force  under  Gen.  Atkinson,  at  Dixon's  Ferry, 
was  attacked  by  a  superior  force  of  Indians,  and  nearly 
all,  including  the  agent,  killed.  The  whole  country 
was  infested  by  small  parties  of  Indians,  who  suddenly 
fell  on  the  unsuspecting  whites,  whom  they  murdered. 
The  Steamer  Dove,  on  her  downward  passage,  was 
attacked  by  a  small  party  of  Indians,  just  above  Rock 
Island,  but  no  injury  was  sustained. 

JUNE  14th.  Five  American  citizens  were  killed  about 
five  miles  below  Hamilton's  Fort. 

JUNE  16th.  A  citizen  was  killed  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  same  place.  General  Dodge,  with  29  of  his 
mounted  men,  went  in  immediate  pursuit ;  and  after  go* 
ing  about  three  miles,  discovered  the  murderers — 1 1  in 
number — but  did  not  overtake  them  until  they  crossed 
the  East  Pich-e-ton-e-ka,  and  entered  an  almost  impene- 
trable swamp.  At  the  edge  of  the  swamp  the  men  were 
ordered  to  dismount  and  link  horses ;  four  men  were 
left  in  charge  of  the  horses,  and  four  were  posted  around 
the  swamp,  on  high  ground,  to  observe  the  motion  of 
the  enemy  ;  the  remainder,  21,  advanced  into  the  swamp, 
about  half  a  mile ;  when  they  received  the  fire  of  the 
Indians,  at  the  distance  of  about  thirty  feet,  by  which 
three  of  our  men  fell,  severely  wounded.  Orders  were 
instantly  given  to  charge;  but,  as  the  Indians  lay  under 
the  bank  of  a  slough,  they  were  concealed  till  our  party 
was  within  six  or  eight  feet  fjf  them,  when  the  whites 
immediately  fired.  The  whole  hostile  party  was  killed 
and  scalped  within  one  or  two  minutes,  excepting  one, 
who  attempted  to  make  his  escape  by  swimming  the 
slough,  but  was  shot  down  on  the  opposite  bank.-— 
Though  few  were  engaged  in  this  bloody  transaction,  it 
was  conducted  with  much  gallantry,  and  entitles  Gen. 
Dodge  and  his  brave  associates  to  the  highest  credit,  A 
few  such  examples  will  strike  terror  into  the  hearts  of 
the  Indians. 

On  the  same  day,  a  party  of  Indians  was  attacked  by 
Capt.  Snyder,  near  Kellogg's  Grove,  and  defeated,  with 
the  loss  of  four ;— one  of  Capt.  Snyder's  company  waa 
43* 


510  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

mortally  wounded.  On  his  return,  he  halted  near  9 
small  stream  of  water,  and  was  fired  upon  by  a  body  of 
Indians,  who  lay  concealed ;  two  of  his  men  were  kill- 
ed, and  one  mortally  wounded.  The  company  was  im- 
mediately formed,  and  retreated  in  good  order  before  a 
superior  force  of  the  Indians. 

JUNE  18th.~ A  bloody  engagement  took  place  be- 
tween a  small  party  of  Americans,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Stevenson,  and  a  superior  party  of  the  Indians,  on  Ap- 
ple creek.  Three  of  our  men  were  lost,  and  Capt.  Ste- 
venson wounded,  though,  it  is  hoped,  not  dangerously. 
The  precise  number  of  Indians  killed  is  not  ascertained, 
though  it  is  supposed  five  or  six.  The  combatants 
came  into  such  close  quarters  during  this  engagement,  as 
to  be  Constrained  to  use  the  bayonet  and  butcher's  knife. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  a  large  body  of  Indians  made 
an  attack  on  the  Fort  at  Buffalo  Grove,  situated  on 
Rock  river,  about  twelve  miles  north  of  Dixon's  Ferry, 
and  fifty-five  miles  from  Galena.  The  fort  was  defended 
by  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  militia,  who  kept  the 
Indians  at  bay,  until  their  ammunition  was  nearly 
expended  :  in  this  critical  situation,  an  officer  of  the  fort, 
who  had  been  wounded  in  the  firing,  made  his  way  out, 
and  went  in  quest  of  reinforcement  of  men  and  arms. 
He  either  went  to  Rock  river,  where  General  Atkinson 
was,  and  there  procured  the  aid  he  had  gone  to  seek,  or 
met  a  detachment,  under  Colonel  t*osey,  proceeding  to  the 
fort  |  this  latter  body  marched  on,  drove  off  the  Indians, 
and  relieved  the  garrison. — The  number  of  killed  and 
wounded,  on  either  side,  was  not  ascertained.  Sixteen 
Indians  were  known  to  have  been  killed 

An  express,  consisting  of  four  persons,  sent  from  Gale- 
na, was  attacked  when  near  the  fort  on  Apple  river,  twelve 
miles  from  Galena,  and  immediately  retreated.  One 
man,  Edward  Welsh,  was  wounded  by  a  shot  in  the  thigh, 
before  he  reached  the  fort;  another,  his  name  not  known, 
was  killed,  after  gaining  cover.  One  other  man  was  also 
wounded  in  the  fort.  This  party  of  Indians  was  repulsed 
by  the  gartison,  consisting  of  thirty  men  under  the  com- 
mand ~of  Captain^  Stone,  but  succeeded  in  carrying  off 
all  the  horses,  cattle,  hogs,  and  two  yokes  of  working 


OP  THE  UNITED  STATES.  511 

steers  ;  they  also  destroyed  all  the  moveables  that  were 
found  in  the  houses  around  the  fort,  but  left  the  buildings 
uninjured. 

The  following  intelligence  is  extracted  from  the  Gale- 
nian,  dated  4th  of  July.  It  is,  we  believe,  the  most  par- 
ticular account  of  the  state  of  Indian  war  on  the  north- 
western frontier. 

JUNE  27. — Seat  of  war. — An  express  reached  town  to- 
day from  Kellogg's  Grove,  bringing  information  that  a 
battle  had  been  fought  with  the  Indians  in  that  neighbour- 
hood, on  Monday  morning,  by  a  part  of  the  company 
of  Spies,  under  the  command  of  Major  Dement.  The 
particulars  of  which  are  subjoined. 

On  Sunday  evening,  Major  Dement  arrived  at  Kel- 
logg's Grove,  and  receiving  information  early  the  follow- 
ing morning  that  traces  of  Indians  were  plainly  dis- 
cernible in  that  immediate  neighbourhood,  called  for 
twenty  or  thirty  volunteers  to  accompany  him  to  recon- 
noitre the  neighbourhood.  In  a  short  time  they  came 
upon  the  enemy,  whose  force  was  too  formidable  to  be 
resisted  by  so  small  a  number;  and  being  too  far 
advanced  to  make  good  his  retreat,  lost  some  of  his  party 
before  the  arrival  of  the  remainder  of  his  company,  after 
which  a  considerable  skirmish  ensued ;  but,  owing  to 
the  refractory  and  unmanageable  temper  of  the  horses, 
occasioned  by  the  clash  of  arms  and  the  Indian  yell,  it 
was  found  impracticable  to  form  a  line ;  yet,  under  all 
these  disadvantages,  a  number  of  Indians  were  killed ; 
the  exact  number  cannot  be  ascertained,  as  they  were 
seen  to  carry  several  of  their  dead  from  the  field  during 
the  engagement.  Major  Dement  lost  five  men,  and  about 
twenty  horses,  killed,  in  the  battle.  Nine  Indians  were 
found  on  the  field. 

JUNE  29. — More  Indian  murders. — About  noon  an 
express  arrived  from  the  Cincinaway  Mound,  announc- 
ing the  attack  on  three  men  who  were  at  work  in  a  corn 
field  about  ten  miles  from  this  town,  and  that  two  of 
them  had  fallen. 

Major  Stephenson,  who  had  just  returned  to  Galena, 
from  an  excursion  in  the  country,  with  a  few  mounted 
men,  immediately  put  about  thirty  in  readiness  to  march 


512  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

in  pursuit  of  the  Indians.  With  a  forced  march,  his 
detachment  soon  arrived  at  the  scene  of  death,  where 
were  found  the  bodies  of  James  Boxley  and  John  Thomp- 
son, most  shockingly  mangled.  The  heart  of  Thomp- 
son was  taken  out,  and  both  were  scalped ! 

A  few  men  were  left  to  bury  the  dead,  while  the  main 
body  of  the  company  went  in  -pursuit  of  the  Indians. 
They  tracked  them  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Jordan,  on 
the  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  and  found  that  they  had  just 
stolen  a  canoe,  and  crossed  the  river.  , 

No  signs  appeared  of  more  than  five  Indians,  though 
a  large  body  was  probably  on  the  other  side.  But  the 
company  had  no  means  of  crossing,  and  returned  to 
Galena  on  the  following  day. 

This  was  a  very  unexpected  attack,  and  from  a  quarter 
as  little  expected.  It  appears  now  that  attacks  are  made 
all  around  this  town,  and  murders  committed  nearly  in 
sight  of  our  stockade. 

JUNE  30.-— All  the  inhabitants  north  of  us,  and  on  the 
Mississippi,  this  side  of  Cassville,  have  come  in  to-day, 
and  intend  to  remain  until  the  war  is  ended.  It  is  now 
viewed  to  be  very  unsafe  to  go  one  mile  from  this  place 
without  a  formidable  guard. 

A  gentleman  who  has  just  arrived,  states  that  he 
left  an  army  of  two  brigades  on  the  wafers  of  Apple 
river,  on  the  night  of  the  29th.  One  is  to  report  to 
General  Dodge,  who  will  immediately  take  command  of 
them. 

General  Atkinson,  we  learn,  has  at  length  commenced 
his  line  of  march  with  about  one  thousand  three  hun* 
dred  mounted  men,  and  five  hundred  regulars.  He  is 
moving  on  the  east  side  of  Rock  river. 

JULY  2. — A  detachment  of  sixty  mounted  volunteers, 
composed  of  Captains  Craig  and  Duncan's  companies, 
left  town,  by  order  of  Colonel  Strode,  under  command  of 
Major  Stevenson,  to  join  the  main  army,  which  is  now 
marching  to  the  Indian  encampments  with  a  view  of  a 
general  extermination. 

Lieutenants  Holmes  and  Grossman,  and  Mr.  Enoch 
C.  March,  Q,.  M.  G.  arrived  here  this  afternoon  from 
General  Atkinson's  head  quarters,  at  the  mouth  of  Syca- 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  513 

more  creek,  state  that  between  Buffalo  Grove  and  Kel- 
logg's  Grove,  and  in  the  latter,  they  saw  three  very  large 
fresh  Indian  trails  yesterday  and  the  day  before,  and 
several  smaller  ones. — They  do  not  believe  that  the  trail 
could  have  been  more  than  a  day  or  two  old,  when  they 
saw  it.  They  all  lead  S.  S.  W.  to  N.  N.  E.  in  a  direc- 
tion where,  we  understand,  the  main  body  of  the  Indians 
are  stationed. 

Such  of  the  mounted  volunteers  as  remain,  of  Cap- 
tains Craig  and  Duncan's  companies,  have  been  placed 
under  command  of  the  former,  and  will  contiue  to  recon- 
noitre the  country  around  Galena.  They  have  returned 
this  evening,  but  report  no  signs  of  hostility  as  having 
met  their  observation. 

JULY  3. — Half  the  horsemen  left  under  command 
of  Captain  Craig,  for  reconnoitering  expeditions,  have 
been  ordered  to  range  and  scour  the  country  from  Rice's 
farm,  on  the  mouth  of  Small  Pox  creek,  to  Bowies'  fur- 
nace, and  thence  to  Galena ;  and  the  other  half  to  march 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Cincinaway.  thence  ranging  between 
it  and  the  Menominee  eastwardly,  to  Vinegar  Hill,  and 
thence  to  Galena. 

In  crossing  the  country  from  Dixon's  to  Galena, 
several  large  and  recent  trails  of  Indians  were  disco- 
vered, proceeding  apparently  frorn  the  Mississippi,  near 
Plum  river,  and  going  in  the  direction  of  the  Four  lakes. 
From  accounts  given,  as  we  understand,  by  some  enga- 
gees  who  lately  descended  the  Missouri,  we  are  almost 
confirmed  in  the  opinion,  that  these  trails  were  made  by 
parties  of  Indians  coming  from  the  different  tribes  on  the 
Missouri. 

We  have  no  rangers  about  Plum  river  to  confirm  this 
opinion,  but  a  passenger  in  the  Warrior  states,  that  the 
banks  are  much  cut  up  near  that  place.  General  Atkin- 
son has,  after  ordering  the  brigades  under  generals 
Posey  and  Alexander,  to  cross  Rock  river,  and  operate 
on  this  side  in  conjunction  with  General  Dodge,  marched 
with  the  regular  troops  and  General  Henry's  brigade, 
for  the  Indian  camp ;  at  which  place  it  is  expected  he 
certainly  will  have  arrived  by  yesterday  evening ;  if  so, 
and  the  Indians  remain,  the  strongest  probability  exists 


514  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

of  an  immediate  fight.  The  troops  operating  on  tLis 
side  of  Rock  river,  are  to  be  subsisted  from  Galena. 
Two  companies  of  volunteers,  said  to  be  very  well 
equipped,  have  been  ordered  on  the  route  to  Galena,  to 
report  to  Colonel  March  or  Colonel  Holmes,  and  receive 
heir  instructions  until  they  get  orders  from  a  higher 
source.  Should  the  Indians  stand  a  fight,  no  matter  if 
they  are  vanquished  or  victorious,  (the  latter  we  do  not 
believe  they  will  be,)  Galena  will,  in  our  opinion,  be  in 
more  danger  than  at  any  former  period,  as,  if  they  do 
not  proceed  directly  for  Canada,  or  the  Chippewa  coun- 
try, they  wilh  undoubtedly  separate  for  the  purpose  of 
marauding  and  distressing  the  country.  Great  difficulty 
exists  at  head  quarters  in  obtaining  correct  intelligence 
from  important  points  in  the  country,  as  many  expresses 
have  been  compelled  to  return  without  executing  their 
orders.  The  campaign  has  now  commenced,  and  under 
very  fair  prospects  for  success,  considering  that  the  front 
line  of  operations  extends  from  the  Mississippi  to  Chi- 
cago, and  the  difficulties  attending  the  forwarding  of 
provisions,  to  subsist  the  army  for  any  long  time. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Brigadier  General  Atkinson 
to  Colonel  J.  M.  Strode,  dated 

Head  Quarters  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier, 
Camp,  below  Sycamore  Creek,  June  29,  1832. 
"  Heretofore  I  have  not  had  the  means  of  preventing 
the  enemy  from  committing  acts  of  hostility  in  the  dis- 
trict of  country  between  Rock  river  and  Galena.     The 
force  now  in  the  field  under  my  command,  and  the  ope- 
rations now  about  to  be  carried  into  effect,  will,  I  hope,  put 
an  end  to  the  war,  and  restore  tranquillity  to  the  country." 

Official  intelligence  of  the  battle  with  Black  Hawk. 

Despatches  were  received  from  the  army  under  General 
Atkinson,  dated  Blue  Mounds,  July  25,  1832,  stating  that 
General  Henry,  with  his  brigade,  accompanied  by  Gene- 
ral Dodge,  with  a  battalion  of  Michigan  volunteers,  had 
been  detached  by  General  Atkinson,  in  pursuit  of  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  under  Black  Hawk.  They  succeeded,  by 
forced  marches,  in  coming  up  with  him,  on  the  bank  of  the 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  515 

Wisconsin,  opposite  to  the  Blue  Mounds,  on  the  evening 
of  the  21st  of  July.  An  attack  was  immediately  made 
on  the  Indians,  Avhich  resulted  in  their  defeat,  with  a 
loss  of  about  forty  men  killed,  on  the  part  of  the  enemy; 
and,  it  is  presumed,  a  much  larger  number  wounded ;  as 
the  Indians  were  seen,  during  the  action,  bearing  a  great 
number  of  them  off  the  field.  The  loss,  on  our  part, 
was  trifling ;  amounting  to  one  man  killed,  and  eight 
wounded.  Night  coming  on,  our  troops  being  exceed- 
ingly fatigued,  having  marched  forty  miles  that  day,  no 
Eursuit  could  be  attempted :  thus  the  enemy  was  saved 
•om  entire  destruction.  Black  Hawk  passed  over  to  an 
island  in  the  Wisconsin,  to  which  place  he  had  sent  his 
women.  Generals  Henry  and  Dodge  remained  on  the 
ground  the  succeeding  day  and  night,  and  part  of  the 
next  day,  being  unable  to  renew  the  attack  in  conse- 
quence of  the  entire  absence  of  boats  and  canoes,  or  the 
means  of  constructing  rafts  to  cross  to  the  island.  Gene- 
rals Henry  and  Dodge  marched  to  the  Blue  Mounds  on 
the  evening  of  the  23d  for  a  supply  of  provisions,  where 
they  were  joined  by  Gen.  Atkinson,  with  the  regular 
troops  and  part  of  General  Alexander's  brigade.  After 
a  forced  march  of  three  days  from  Cos-co-nong,  General 
Atkinson  writes,  that  he  would  move  with  his  whole 
force  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  of  July,  the  date  of  his 
despatch,  to  a  point  on  the  Wisconsin,  sixteen  miles  below 
the  Blue  Mounds,  where  he  would  endeavour  to  cross 
the  river  by  rafts  or  some  other  means,  and  if  possible 
overtake  the  Indians  and  subdue  them,  notwithstanding 
ihe  troops  were  worn  down  with  fatigue  and  privations. 
The  general  states  that  the  enemy  must  be  much  crip- 
pled, and  in  a  suffering  condition  for  the  want  of  subsist- 
ence. The  troops  under  Generals  Henry  and  Dodge 
are  represented  to  have  behaved  with  great  gallantry, 
having  resisted  with  firmness  a  charge  from  the  enemy 
on  horseback,  and  in  turn  charged  him  with  great 
promptness,  routing  him  on  every  point,  to  which  is 
attributable  the  very  small  loss  on  our  side.  While  our 
men  deserve  great  credit  for  their  gallantry  and  steadi- 
ness, the  Indians  are  entitled  to  no  less  consideration  for 
the  skill  and  perseverance  displayed  by  them  in  their 


516  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

retreat.  Appearances  indicate  the  war  will  soon  termi- 
nate, and  peace  be  restored  to  the  frontiers. 

It  appears  that  after  the  first  battle  of  General  Dodge 
with  the  main  body  of  the  Indians  on  the  Wisconsin,  the 
Black  Hawk  determined  to  retreat  across  the  Missis- 
sippi. This  was  ascertained  from  a  squaw,  the  sister  of 
Ke-o-kuck,  and  wife  of  the  Big  Lake,  whom  she  sup- 
posed to  have  been  killed  when  she  was  taken  prisoner. 
She  says  that  the  Black  Hawk  had  directed  all  of  his 
band  who  had  not  good  horses,  to  descend  the  Wisconsin 
in  canoes  to  the  Mississippi,  and  to  continue  down  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Wa-pese-per-ne-kaw,  and  to  ascend  this 
river,  which  runs  from  the  west,  to  its  head  waters.  la 
the  meantime  it  was  his  intention  to  press  for  the  Missis- 
sippi, a  considerable  distance  above  Prairie  du  Chien, 
and  crossing  it  about  Racoon  Creek,  to  go  by  Red  Cedar, 
and  meet  those  that  had  descended  at  a  place  of  rendez- 
vous some  distance  on  the  west 'of  the  Mississippi. 

She  stated  that  Black  Hawk  had  lost  200  warriors  in 
the  different  skirmishes,  before  the  battle  with  Gen. 
Dodge — that  many  of  those  who  embarked  in  canoes  had 
been  lost  in  consequence  of  bad  canoes  and  sinking — 
that  a  considerable  number  had  passed  down  the  Missis- 
sippi unobserved,  through  the  fogs — and  that  others  of 
those  that  embarked  on  the  Wisconsin,  and  remained 
behind,  applied  to  the  Winnebagoes  to  come  with  them 
and  surrender  to  the  whites. 

The  fate  of  that  portion  of  the  tribes  of  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes,  which  directed  their  flight  to  the  Mississippi, 
under  the  orders  of  the  Black  Hawk,  consisting  princi- 
pally of  warriors,  will  be  seen  in  the  following  account. 

This  party  first  encountered  the  steam  boat  Warrior 
about  forty  miles  above  Prairie  du  Chien. 

The  Indians  showed  two  white  flags,  declared  they 
were  Winnebagoes,  and  endeavoured;  by  signs  and  other- 
wise, to  bring  about  a  landing  of  the  boat.  About  one 
hundred  and  fifty  showed  themselves  without  arms  on  the 
bank,  while  many  others  in  their  rear  were  observed 
running  back  and  forth,  and  preparing  their  arms  for 
use.  In  the  boat  were  fifteen  soldiers  and  six  volunteers, 
Messrs.  Hempstead,  Hough,  and  Soulard,  passengers, 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  517 

besides  the  crew  of  the  boat — two  discharged  soldiers 
from  St.  Peters  had  also  been  taken  up  on  the  passage 
down  by  the  boat.  The  interpreter,  besides  being  appa- 
rently much  frightened,  did  not,  as  since  understood,  truly 
state  the  replies  of  the  Indians.  The  battle  commenced 
with  a  discharge  from  the  six  pounder,  which  was 
instantaneously  returned  by  the  Indians  from  above  and 
below,  along  the  shore,  when  the  boat  was  anchored.  It 
commenced  a  few  minutes  before  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  and 
ended  a  little  after  6. 

After  the  two  first  fires  from  the  cannon  and  musketry, 
the  whites  were  compelled  to  watch  for  the  smoke  of  the 
enemy's  guns  to  give  their  fire,  as  the  Indians  had  com- 
pletely concealed  themselves  behind  the  trees  and  logs, 
which  were  found  on  the  place. 

The  United  States'  officers  were  Lieutenants  Holmes 
and  Kingsbury;  the  former  left  this  place  in  the  boat 
with  provisions  for  the  army,  and  the  latter  was  placed 
on  board  in  charge  of  the  men  by  Captain  Loomis,  at  Fort 
Crawford.  We  understand  that  the  coolness  and  gal- 
lantry of  all  on  board,  (the  interpreter  excepted,)  reflected 
credit  upon  them.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  Captain 
Throckmorton  could  call  his  crew  to  the  management  of 
the  boat  when  needed,  so  anxious,  from  highest  to  lowest, 
were  they  to  have  a  hand  in  the  business.  The  Indians 
fired  very  badly — their  fire  lasted  long  enough  to  average 
thirteen  cartridges,  and  but  one  white  man  was  wounded, 
and  only  about  fifty  balls  hit  the  boat.  It  was  ascertained 
by  a  prisoner  after  the  battle,  that  twenty-three  or  twenty- 
five  were  killed,  wounded  not  known.  This  little  fight 
delayed  the  Indians  in  their  crossing  very  considerably, 
and,  but  for  the  want  of  wood,  must  have  entirely  pre- 
vented it  until  the  coming  up  of  the  main  army. 

The  boat,  on  its  return  next  morning,  was  fired  into 
again,  and  the  fire  returned  until  the  army  was  discovered 
on  the  land  where  the  Indians  had  been  on  the  previous 
night. 

The  whole  army  under  General  Atkinson,  embracing 
the  brigades  commanded  by  Generals  Henry,  Posey,  and 
Alexander,  and  a  squadron  under  the  command  of  Gene- 
ral Dodge,  all  crossed  to  the  north  side  of  the  Wisconsin 
44 


518  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

at  Helena  on  the  28th  and  29th  ultimo.  They  took  up  a 
line  of  march  in  a  northerly  direction,  in  order  to  inter- 
sect the  Indian  trail.  At  the  distance  of  about  five  miles 
the  great  trail  was  discovered,  leading  in  a  direction  N. 
of  W.  towards  the  Mississippi,  and  supposed  to  be  about 
four  days  old. 

General  Atkinson  seeing  the  direction  of  the  enemy, 
knew  well  that  it  would  require  all  diligence  and  expe- 
dition to  overtake  them  before  they  would  cross  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  hence  commenced  from  that  time  a  forced 
march  ;  leaving  all  the  baggage  wagons,  and  every  thing 
else  which  was  calculated  to  retard  the  pursuit. 

The  country  through  which  the  enemy's  trail  led  our 
army,  between  the  Wisconsin  bluffs  and  the  Kickapoo 
river,  was  one  continued  series  of  mountains.  No  sooner 
had  they  reached  the  summit  of  one  high  and  almost 
perpendicular  hill  than  they  had  to  descend  on  the  other 
side  equally  steep,  to  the  base  of  another.  Nothing  but 
a  deep  ravine,  with  muddy  banks,  separated  these  moun- 
tains. The  woods,  both  upon  the  top  of  the  highest 
mountains,  and  at  the  bottom  of  the  deepest  hollows,  was 
of  the  heaviest  growth.  The  under  bushes  were  chiefly 
thorn  and  prickly  ash.  This  is  a  short  description  of 
the  route,  and  shows  the  difficulties  of  the  pursuit. 
Notwithstanding  all  this,  our  army  gained  on  the  enemy 
daily,  as  appeared  from  the  enemy's  encampments.  The 
tedious  march  thus  continued  was  endured  by  our  brave 
troops  without  a  murmur;  and  as  the  Indian  signs  ap- 
peared more  recent,  the  officers  and  men  appeared  more 
anxious  to  proceed.  On  the  fourth  night  of  our  march 
from  Helena,  and  at  an  encampment  of  the  enemy,  was 
discovered  an  old  Sac  Indian  by  our  spies,  who  informed 
them  that  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  had,  on  that  day, 
gone  to  the  Mississippi,  and  intended  to  cross  on  the  next 
morning,  being  the  2d  of  August.  The  horses  being 
nearly  broken  down,  and  the  men  much  exhausted  from 
fatigue,  General  Atkinson  ordered  a  halt  for  a  few  hours, 
(it  being  after  8  o'clock,)  with  a  determination  to  start  at 
2  o'clock  for  the  Mississippi,  about  ten  miles  distant.  At 
the  precise  hour,  the  bugles  sounded,  and  in  a  short  time 
all  were  ready  to  march. 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  519 


General  Dodge's  squadron  was  honoured  by 
placed  in  front,  the  infantry  followed  next,  General  Hen- 
ry's brigade  next,  General  Alexander's  next,  and  Gene- 
ral Posey's  formed  the  rear  guard. 

General  Dodge  called  for,  and  as  soon  received,  twenty 
volunteer  spies  to  go  ahead  of  the  whole  army. 

In  this  order  the  march  commenced.  They  had  not, 
however,  gone  more  than  five  miles  before  one  of  our 
spies  came  back,  announcing  their  having  come  in  sight 
of  the  enemy's  picket  guard.  He  went  back,  and  the 
intelligence  was  quickly  conveyed  to  General  Atkinson, 
then  to  all  the  commanders  of  the  brigades,  and  the 
celerity  of  the  march  was  instantly  increased.  In  a  few 
minutes  more  the  firing  commenced  about  five  hundred 
yards  ahead  of  the  front  of  the  army,  between  our  spies 
and  the  Indian  picket  guard.  The  Indians  were  driven 
by  our  spies  from  hill  to  hill,  and  kept  up  a  tolerably 
brisk  firing  from  every  situation  commanding  the  ground 
over  which  our  spies  had  to  march  ;  but  being  charged 
and  routed  from  their  hiding  places,  they  sought  safety 
by  retreating  to  the  main  body  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 
and  joined  in  one  general  effort  to  defend  themselves 
here  or  die  on  the  ground. 

Lest  some  might  escape  by  retreating  up  or  down  the 
river,  General  Atkinson  very  judiciously  ordered  Gene- 
ral Alexander  and  General  Posey  to  form  the  right  wing 
of  the  army,  and  march  down  to  the  river  above  the 
Indian  encampment  on  the  bank,  and  then  move  down. 
General  Henry  formed  the  left  wing,  and  marched  in 
the  main  trail  of  the  enemy.  The  United  States'  infan- 
try and  General  Dodge's  squadron  of  the  mining  troops 
marched  in  the  centre. 

With  this  order  our  whole  force  descended  the  almost 
perpendicular  bluff,  and  came  into  a  low  valley,  heavily 
imbered,  with  a  large  growth  of  under  crush,  weeds,  and 
rass.  Sloughs,  deep  ravines,  and  old  logs,  were  so 
plentiful,  as  to  afford  every  facility  for  the  enemy  to 
make  a  strong  defence. 

General  Henry  first  commenced  a  heavy  fire,  which 
was  returned  by  the  enemy.  The  enemy  being  routed 
from  their  first  hiding  places,  sought  others.  .General 


520  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

Dodge's  squadron  and  the  United  States'  troops  soon 
came  into  action,  and  with  General  Henry's  men,  rushed 
into  the  strong  defiles  of  the  enemy,  and  killed  all  in 
their  way,  except  a  few  who  succeeded  in  swimming  a 
slough  of  the  Mississippi,  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
wide.  During  this  time,  the  brigades  of  Generals  Alex- 
ander and  Posey  were  marching  down  the  river,  when 
they  fell  in  with  another  part  of  the  enemy's  army,  and 
killed  and  routed  all  that  opposed  them. 

The  battle  lasted  upwards  of  three  hours.  About  fifty 
of  the  enemy's  women  and  children  were  taken  prison- 
ers, and  many  were  killed  in  the  battle. 

When  the  Indians  were  driven  to  the  bank  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, some  hundreds  of  men,  women,  and  children, 
plunged  into  the  river,  and  hoped,  by  diving,  to  escape 
the  bullets  of  our  guns  ;  very  few,  however,  escaped  our 
sharpshooters. 

The  loss  on  the  side  of  the  enemy  never  can  be  ex- 
actly ascertained,  but,  according  to  the  best  computation, 
they  must  have  lost  in  killed,  upwards  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty.  Our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  twenty-seven. 

Some  had  crossed  the  river  before  our  arrival,  and  we 
learn  by  a  prisoner,  that  Black  Hawk,  while  the  battle 
waxed  warm,  had  stolen  off,  arid  gone  up  the  river  on 
this  side.  If  he  did,  he  took  nothing  with  him  ;  for  his 
valuables,  many  of  them,  together  with  certificates  of 
good  character,  and  of  his  having  fought  bravely  against 
the  United  States  during  the  last  war,  signed  by  British 
officers,  were  found  on  the  battle  ground. 

Further  particulars  of  the  battle  of  the  2d  of  August : 

"HEAD  QUARTERS  IST.  ARMY  CORPS,  > 
NORTH-WESTERN  ARMY.      $ 
"  Fort  Crawford,  Prairie  du  Chien,  August  9. 
«  SIR  : — I  informed  you  on  the  5th  inst.by  a  short  offi- 
cial note,  of  the  action  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  inst. 
between  the  troops  under  my  command  and  the  Sac 
enemy,  on  the  left  bank  of   the  Mississippi,   opposite 
loway  river.     Having  received  the  reports  of  the  officers 
commanding  brigades  and  corps,  I  have  the  honour  of 
reporting  more  in  detail  the  events  of  the  day. 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  521 

"After  having  pursued  the  enemy  five  days  by  forced 
marches,  from  his  passage  of  the  Wisconsin,  we  found 
ourselves  at  dusk,  on  the  evening  of  the  1st  inst.  after  a 
march  of  25  miles,  within  a  few  miles  of  his  position. 

"  The  troops  were  ordered  to  encamp  and  repose  till 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  then  take  up  the  line  of 
march.  The  signal  to  assemble  was  given  at  this  hour, 
and  at  dawn  I  marched  with  the  regular  troops,  under 
Colonel  Taylor  and  General  Dodge's  battalion,  leaving 
the  brigades  of  generals  Posey,  Alexander,  and  Henry, 
to  follow,  as  they  were  not  yet  ready  to  march,  their 
horses  having  been  turned  out  before  the  order  to  march 
was  received  by  them.  After  marching  about  three 
miles,  the  advance  of  Dodge's  battalion  came  up  with  a 
small  party  of  the  enemy,  and  killed  eight  of  them,  and 
dispersed  the  residue.  In  the  mean  time,  the  troops  then 
with  me  were  formed  in  order  of  battle — the  regulars  in 
extended  order  with  three  companies  held  in  reserve. 
General  Dodge's  battalion  was  formed  on  the  left :  the 
whole  advanced  to  the  front,  expecting  to  meet  the  enemy 
in  a  wood  before  us.  General  Posey's  command  soon 
came  up,  and  was  formed  on  the  right  of  the  regulars. 
Shortly  after,  Alexander  arrived,  and  was  formed  on  the 
right  of  General  Posey,  a  position  at  the  time  considered 
of  great  importance,  as  it  would  intercept  the  enemy  in 
an  attempt  to  pass  up  the  river.  Not  finding  the  enemy 
posted  as  I  anticipated,  I  detached  Captain  Dixon  with 
a  few  of  General  Dodge's  spies,  to  the  left,  to  gain  infor- 
mation, and  at  the  same  time  sent  an  officer  of  my  staff 
to  hasten  the  march  of  General  Henry.  Soon  after, 
another  was  despatched  with  orders  to  march  on  the 
enemy's  trail  with  one  of  the  regiments  of  his  brigade, 
and  to  hold  the  remainder  in  reserve.  Finding  the  enemy 
to  be  in  force  in  that  direction,  his  whole  brigade  was 
ordered  on  that  point.  The  order  was  promptly  executed 
by  the  brigade,  having  in  its  advance  the  small  body  of 
spies  under  Captain  Dixon,  who  commenced  the  action, 
seconded  simultaneously  by  General  Henry.  The  enemy 
was  driven  across  several  sluices  down  the  river  bottom, 
which  was  covered  with  fallen  timber,  underwood  and 
laigh  grass. 

44* 


522  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

"  The  regular  troops,  and  General  Dodge  at  the  head 
of  his  battalion,  soon  came  up  and  joined  in  the  action, 
followed  by  a  party  of  General  Posey's  troops,  when 
the  enemy  was  driven  still  further  through  the  bottom 
to  several  small  willow  islands  successively,  where  much 
execution  was  done. 

"  The  main  body  of  the  enemy  being  in  the  bottom  and 
adjoining  small  islands,  General  Alexander  was  ordered 
to  move  with  his  brigade  to  the  point  of  action :  but 
from  the  distance  of  his  position  he  came  up  too  late  to 
participate  in  the  combat,  except  two  companies  of  his 
brigade  that  had  previously  joined  the  brigade  under 
Brigadier  General  Henry. 

"*£Both  the  regular  and  volunteer  troops  conducted 
themselves  with  the  greatest  zeal,  courage,  and  patriotism, 
and  are  entitled  to  the  highest  approbation  of  their  coun- 
try. To  Brigadier  General  Henry,  of  the  3d  brigade 
of  Illinois  volunteers,  General  Dodge  of  the  Michi- 
gan volunteers,  and  Colonel  Taylor  of  the  United  States 
Infantry,  the  greatest  praise  is  due  for  the  gallant  man- 
ner in  which  they  brought  their  respective  corps  in,  and 
conducted  them  through  the  action.  They  report  a  like 
meed  of  praise  to  the  officers  under  their  respective  com- 
mands. To  generals  Posey  and  Alexander  every  credit 
is  due  for  their  conduct  and  exertions  in  endeavouring 
to  throw  their  commands  into  action,  from  which,  by  the 
arrangement  of  the  order  of  battle  they  were  unfortu- 
nately precluded,  excepting  a  detachment  of  each.  I 
cannot  omit,  without  injustice  to  my  staff,  consisting  of 
lieutenants  Johnson,  Anderson,  Wheelwright,  Drane, 
Brooks,  and  Clarke  of  the  army,  and  Colonel  March  of 
the  volunteers,  to  mention  the  zeal,  promptitude,  and 
efficiency,  they  displayed  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty 
during  the  action,  and  the  course  of  the  day. 

"  T*ne  enemy  sustained  a  loss  of  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men  killed — the  precise  number  could  not  be  ascer- 
tained, as  a  large  proportion  were  slain  in  endeavoring 
to  swim  to  the  islands.  Forty  women  and  children 
were  taken  prisoners,  and  seventy  horses  captured. 

"  The  loss  on  our  part,  was, — of  the  United  States  In- 
fantry, five  privates  killed,  and  four  wounded — General 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  523 

Posey's  volunteers,  one  private  wounded— General  Alex- 
ander's, one  private  wounded — General  Henry's,  one 
lieutenant  and  five  privates  wounded — General  Dodge's, 
one  captain,  one  sergeant,  and  four  privates  wounded. 

"  The  steamer  Warrior,  by  the  direction  of  Captain 
Loomis,  had  ascended  the  river,  with  a  small  detach- 
ment of  the  4th  United  States  Infantry,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Kingsbury,  accompanied  by  Lieu- 
tenants Holmes  and  Torrence,  on  the  day  previous  to 
the  battle,  to  warn  the  Sioux  of  the  approach  of  the 
Sacs  : — in  returning,  near  the  battle  ground,  a  party  of 
Sacs  was  discovered,  and  attacked,  when  a  smart  skir- 
mish ensued ; — the  Indian  loss  is  since  reported  to  be 
twenty-three  killed — one  now  on  board  the  steamboat 
slightly  wounded.  Lieutenants  Holmes,  Kingsbury, 
and  Torrence,  as  well  as  Captain  Throckmorton,  the 
commander  of  the  boat,  were  conspicuous  in  the  affair. 
A  great  advantage  was  derived  from  the  presence  of  the 
steamboat  on  this  occasion,  as  it  retarded  the  enemy  in 
crossing  the  river. 

"  I  enclose  herewith  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  volun- 
teers under  Generals  Henry  and  Dodge.  A  list  of  the 
officers  of  the  other  volunteer  corps  will  be  transmitted 
as  soon  as  received,  which  I  request  may  be  placed  on 
file  in  the  War  Office. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

"H.  ATKINSON,  Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  Army. 
"To  MAJ.  GEN.  W.  SCOTT,  Commanding  N.  W.  Army." 

PRAIRIE  DU  CHIEN,  August  27*A,  1832. 

At  1 1  o'clock  to-day,  Black  Hawk  and  the  Prophet 
were  delivered  to  General  Joseph  M.  Street,  by  the  one- 
eyed  Deconi  and  Chaetar,  Winnebagoes,  belonging  to 
his  agency.  Many  of  the  officers  from  the  fort  were 
present.  It  was  a  moment  of  much  interest.  The  pris- 
oners appeared  in  a  full  dress  of  white-tanned  deer-skins. 
Soon  after  they  were  seated,  the  One-eyed  Deconi  rose 
up,  and  said — 

"  My  Father — I  now  stand  before  you:  when  we  part- 
ed, I  told  you  I  would.return  soon ;  but  I  could  not  come 
any  sooner.  We  have  had  to  go  a  great  distance,  (to  the 


524  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

Dalle  on  the  Wisconsin — above  the  Portage.)  You  see 
we  have  done  what  you  sent  us  to  do :  these  are  the 
two  that  you  told  us  to  get — (pointing  to  Black  Hawk 
and  the  Prophet.) 

"  My  Father — We  have  done  what  you  told  us  to  do. 
We  always  do  what  you  tell  us,  because  we  know  it  is 
for  our  good. 

"  My  Father — You  told  us  to  get  these  men,  and  it 
would  be  the  cause  of  much  good  to  the  Winnebagoes. 
We  have  brought  them  ;  but  it  has  been  very  hard  for 
us  to  do  so.  That  one,  Mucatamish-ka-kaek-q,  (Black 
Hawk)  was  a  great  way  off  You  told  us  to  bring  them 
to  you  alive :  we  have  done  so.  If  you  had  told  us  to 
bring  their  heads  alone,  we  would  have  done  so — and 
it  would  have  been  less  difficult  than  what  we  have 
done. 

"  My  Father — We  deliver  these  men  into  your  hands. 
We  would  not  deliver  them  even  to  our  brother,  the 
chief  of  the  warriors,  but  to  you ;  because  we  know 
you,  and  believe  you  are  our  friend.  We  want  you  to 
keep  them  safe.  If  they  are  to  be  hurt,  we  do  not  wish 
to  see  it.  Wait  until  we  are  gone,  before  it  is  done. 

"  My  Father — Many  little  birds  have  been  flying  about 
our  ears  of  late,  and  we  thought  they  whispered  to  us 
that  there  was  evil  intended  for  us ;  but  now  we  hope 
these  evil  birds  will  let  our  ears  alone. 

"My  Father — We  know  you  are  our  friend,  because 
you  take  our  part ;  and  that  is  the  reason  we  do  what 
you  tell  us  to  do. 

"  My  Father — You  say  you  love  your  red  children  : 
we  think  we  love  you  as  much,  if  not  more  than  you 
love  us.  We  have  confidence  in  you,  and  you  may 
rely  on  us. 

"  My  Father — We  have  been  promised  a  great  deal  i t 
we  would  take  these  men — that  it  would  do  much  good  to 
our  people.  We  now  hope  to  see  what  will  be  done  for  us. 

"  My  Father — We  have  come  in  haste ;  we  are  tired 
anc  hungry.  We  now  put  these  men  into  your  hands ; 
we  have  done  all  that  you  told  us  to  do." 

General  Street  said — 

"  My  Children — You  have  done  well.     I  told  you  to 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  525 

bring  these  men  to  me,  and  you  have  done  so.  I  am 
pleased  at  what  you  have  done.  It  is  for  your  good, 
and  for  this  reason  I  am  pleased.  I  assured  the  Great 
Chief  of  the  Warriors,  that  if  these  men  were  in  your 
country,  you  would  find  them,  and  bring  them  to  me — 
that  I  believed  you  would  do  whatever  I  directed  you ; 
and  now  that  you  have  brought  them,  I  can  say  much 
for  your  good.  I  will  go  down  to  Rock  Island  with  the 
prisoners,  and  I  wish  you  who  have  brought  these  men, 
especially,  to  go  with  me,  with  such  other  chiefs  and 
warriors  as  you  may  select. 

"  My  Children — The  great  Chief  of  the  Warriors 
when  he  left  this  place,  directed  me  to  deliver  these,  and 
all  other  prisoners,  to  the  chief  of  the  warriors  at  this 
place,  Colonel  Taylor,  who  is  here  by  me. 

"  My  Children — Some  of  the  Winnebagoes,  south  ol 
ihe  Wisconsin  river,  have  befriended  the  Saukies,  and 
some  of  the  Indians  of  my  agency  have  also  given  them 
aid.  This  displeaseth  the  Great  Chief  of  the  Warriors 
and  your  Great  Father  the  President,  and  was  calculated 
to  do  much  harm. 

"  My  Children — Your  Great  Father  the  President,  al 
Washington,  has  sent  a  great  war  chief  from  the  fal 
east,  General  Scott,  with  a  fresh  army  of  soldiers.  He 
is  now  at  Rock  Island.  Your  Great  Father  the  Presi- 
dent, has  sent  him  and  the  governor  anjd  chief  of  Illinois 
to  hold  a  council  with  the  Indians.  He  has  sent  a 
speech  to  you,  and  wishes  the  chief  and  warriors  of  the 
Winnebagoes  to  go  to  Rock  Island  to  the  council  on  the 
10th  of  next  month.  I  wish  you  to  be  ready  in  three 
days,  when  I  will  go  with  you. 

"  My  Children — I  am  well  pleased  that  you  have  taken 
the  Black  Hawk,  the  Prophet  and  other  prisoners.  This 
will  enable  me  to  say  much  for  you  to  the  Great  Chief 
of  the  Warriors,  and  to  the  President  your  Great  Father. 
My  Children,  I  shall  now  deliver  the  two  men  Black 
Hawk  and  the  Prophet  to  the  chief  of  the  warriors  here ; 
he  will  take  care  of  them  till  we  start  to  Rock  Island." 

Colonel  Taylor  said' — The  great  chief  of  the  war- 
riors told  me  to  take  the  prisoners  when  you  should 
bring  them,  and  send  them  to  Rock  Island  to  him.  I 


526  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

will  take  them  and  keep  them  safe,  but  I  will  use  them 
well,  and  send  them  with  you  and  General  Street,  when 
you  go  down  to  the  council,  which  will  be  in  a  few  days. 
Your  friend,  General  Street,  advises  you  to  get  ready 
and  go  down  soon,  and  so  do  I. 

I  tell  you  again  I  will  take  the  prisoners  ;  I  will  keep 
them  safe,  and  I  will  do  them  no  harm.  I  will  deliver 
them  to  the  great  chief  of  the  warriors,  and  he  will  do 
with  them  and  use  them  in  such  manner  as  shall  be 
ordered  by  your  Great  Father  the  President. 

Chaeton,  a  Winnebago  warrior  then  said  to  General 
Street : — 

"  My  Father  I  am  young  and  do  not  know  how  to  make 
speeches.  This  is  the  second  time  I  ever  spoke  to  you 
before  people. 

"  My  Father — I  am  no  chief;  I  am  no  orator ;  but  I 
have  been  allowed  to  speak  to  you. 

"  My  Father — If  I  should  not  speak  as  well  as  others, 
still  you  must  listen  to  me. 

"  My  Father — When  you  made  the  speech  to  the  chiefs 
Waugh-Kon-Deconi  Carramana,  the  One  Eyed  Deconi 
and  others  the  other  day,  I  was  there.  I  heard  you.  I 
thought  what  you  said  to  them,  you  also  said  to  me. 
You  said,  if  these  two  (pointing  to  Black  Hawk  and  the 
Prophet)  were  taken  by  us  and  brought  to  you,  there 
would  never  more  a  black  cloud  hang  over  your  Winne- 
bagoes. 

"  My  Father — Your  words  entered  into  my  ear,  into 
my  brains,  and  into  my  heart. 

"  My  Father — I  left  here  that  same  night,  and  you 
know  you  have  not  seen  me  since  until  now. 

"  My  Father — I  have  been  a  great  way.  I  have  had 
much  trouble ;  but  when  I  remembered  what  you  said, 
I  knew  what  you  said  was  right.  This  made  me  con- 
tinue and  do  what  you  told  me  to  do. 

"  My  Father — Near  the  Dalle,  on  the  Wisconsin,  I 
took  Black  Hawk.  No  one  did  it  but  me, — I  say  this  in 
the  ears  of  all  present,  and  they  know  it — and  I  now 
appeal  to  the  Great  Spirit,  our  Grand  Father,  and  the 
Earth  our  Grand  Mother,  for  the  truth  of  what  I  say! 
.  "  My  Father — I  am  no  chief,  but  what  I  have  done  is 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  527 

for  the  benefit  of  my  nation,  and  I  hope  to  see  the  good 
that  has  been  promised  to  us. 

"  My  Father — That  one,  Wa-bo-kie-shiek  (the  Pro- 
phet) is  my  relation — if  he  is  to  be  hurt,  I  do  not  wish  to 
see  it. 

"  My  Father — Soldiers  sometimes  stick  the  end  of  their 
guns  (bayonets)  into  the  backs  of  Indian  prisoners 
vvhen  they  are  going-  about  in  the  hands  of  the  guard. 
[  hope  this  will  not  be  done  to  these  men." 


Threatened  Dissolution  of  the  Union. 

In  closing  this  History,  we  must  notice  with  unfeign- 
ed regret  the  stand  recently  taken  by  the  government 
and  people  of  South  Carolina,  in  opposition  to  the  laws 
of  the  general  government.  The  excitement  has  been 
great,  but  the  promptitude  with  which  the  emergency 
was  met  by  the  President  has  had  its  due  effect. 

We  insert  below,  both  the  Message  and  the  Ordinance. 
If  men  may  learn  lessons  of  wisdom  from  the  follies  of 
their  predecessors,  the  insertion  of  these  state  papers  will 
not  be  considered  either  unnecessary  or  useless. 

The  legislature  re-assembled  at  Columbia,  November 
26th,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  On  the  following  day 
Governor  Hamilton  made  a  communication,  from  which 
we  copy  his  recommendations  for  carrying  into  effect  the 
acts  of  the  convention  for  nullifying  the  tariff  laws.  The 
governor  says : 

"  Fellow  citizens:  The  die  has  been  at  last  cast,  and 
South  Carolina  has  at  length  appealed  to  her  ulterior 
sovereignty  as  a  member  of  this  confederacy,  and  placed 
herself  upon  her  reserved  rights.  The  rightful  exercise 
of  this  power  is  not  a  question  which  we  will  any  longer 
argue — it  is  sufficient  that  she  has  willed  it ;  and  that 
the  act  is  done ;  nor  is  its  strict  compatibility  with  our  con- 
stitutional obligations  to  all  laws  passed  by  the  general 
government  within  the  authorized  grants  of  power,  to  be 
drawn  in  question,  when  this  interposition  is  exerted  in 
a  case  in  which  the  compact  has  been  palpably,  delibe- 
rately, and  dangerously  violated.  That  it  brings  up  a 


528  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

conjunction  of  deep  and  momentous  interests,  is  neither 
to  be  concealed  nor  denied. 


you  have  to  employ 
at  this  crisis,  is  the  precise  amount  of  such  enactments 
as  may  be  necessary  to  render  it  utterly  impossible  to 
collect  within  our  limits  the  duties  imposed  by  protective 
tariffs  thus  nullified.  That  you  will  resort  to  such  civil 
and  penal  provisions  as  will  accomplish  this  purpose, 
without  unnecessary  rigor  on  the  one  hand,  or  a  weak  and 
mistaken  leniency  on  the  other,  I  feel  so  well  assured 
that  I  shall  refrain  from  entering  into  a  detail  of  sug- 
gestions on  a  subject  on  which  you  are  so  much  better 
advised  than  myself;  that  you  should  arm  every  citizen 
with  a  civil  process,  by  which  he  may  claim,  if  he 
chooses,  a  restitution  of  his  goods,  seized  under  the  ex- 
isting impost,  on  giving  security  to  abide  the  issue  of  a 
suit  at  laVv;  and  at  the  same  time  define  what  shall  Con- 
stitute treason  against  the  state  ;  and  by  a  bill  of  pains 
and  penalties,  compel  obedience,  and  punish  disobedience 
to  your  own  laws,  are  points  too  obvious  to  require  dis- 
cussion. In  one  word,  you  must  survey  the  whole 
ground.  You  must  look  to  and  provide  for  all  possible 
contingencies.  In  your  own  limits,  your  own  courts  of 
judicature  must  not  only  be  supreme,  but  you  must  look 
to  the  ultimate  result  of  any  conflict  of  jurisdiction  and 
power,  between  them  and  the  courts  of  the  United  States. 

"  There  is  one  contingency  in  particular,  for  which  you 
ought  to  provide,  and  that  is,  in  case  the  collectors  of  the 
customs  in  any  of  the  ports  of  the  state  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  general  government,  should  refuse  to  grant 
clearancy  to  vessels  outward  bound,  that  no  injury  should 
accrue  to  our  trade,  or  to  those  who  maybe  carrying  on 
friendly  commercial  intercourse  with  us,  the  governor 
should,  under  such  circumstances,  be  authorized  to  grant 
instantly  certificates  of  clearance,  under  the  seal  of  the 
state. 

"  From  these  legislative  provisions,  let  me  now  pass  to 
the  consideration  of  the  consequences,  I  trust,  of  a  remote 
and  improbable  occurrence. 

^  We  claim  that  our  remedy  is  essentially  of  a  pacific 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  529 

character.  When  we  set  up  this  claim,  all  we  mean  to 
say  is,  that  of  right  it  ought  to  be,  and  as  far  as  we  are 
concerned,  it  shall  be  so.  To  the  peaceful  redress  af- 
forded by  our  courts,  in  the  restitution  which  they  shall 
decree,  and  to  the  ultimate  arbitrement  of  our  sister  states 
in  a  general  convention,  assembled  on  the  disputed 
powers,  we  look  wi;h  confidence  to  an  adjustment  of  this 
painful  controversy.  But  the  final  issue  may  be  averse 
to  this  hope. 

.  "  Threats  of  coercion,  we  know  were  once  in  relation 
to  the  probable  measures  of  this  state  officially  promul- 
gated, and  public  rumor,  to  which  it  is  not  safe  for  those 
in  charge  of  the  public  authorities  to  be  absolutely  deaf, 
has  not  diminished  the  conviction  that  these  dispositions 
may  probably  be  yet  entertained.  Nor  ought  we,  in  a 
struggle  like  this,  to  rely  entirely  on  the  confidence  that 
power  will  not  be  used  because  right  may  be  violated. 

"  We  must  therefore  be  prepared  for  such  an  alterna- 
tive. 

"  I  would,  therefore,  recommend  that  our  militia  sys- 
tem, and  its  laws,  undergo  a  thorough  revision.  That 
the  Executive  be  authorized  to  accept  for  the  defence  of 
Charleston  and  its  dependencies,  the  services  of  two 
thousand  volunteers,  either  by  companies  or  files,  as  they 
may  volunteer,  and  that  they  be  formed  into  four  bat- 
talions of  infantry,  with  one  flank  company  of  riflemen 
attached  to  each  battalion  ;  one  squadron  of  cavalry,  and 
two  battalions,  one  of  field,  and  the  other  of  heavy  artil- 
lery ;  that  these  corps  be  organized,  in  a  legionary  bri- 
gade, and  that  the  Executive,  from  the  precincts  in  which 
these  volunteers  are  organized,  select  the  officers  of  the 
appropriate  rank  for  the  several  commands.  I  suggest 
the  expediency  of  this  brigade  being  armed  and  equipped 
from  the  public  arsenals  completely  for  the  field,  and 
that  appropriations  may  be  made  for  supplying  all  de- 
ficiences  in  our  munitions  of  war. 

"  In  addition  to  these  volunteer  drafts,  I  deem  it  safe  to 
recommend  that  the  Executive  be  authorized  also  to  ac- 
cept the  services  of  ten  thousand  volunteers  from  the 
other  divisions  of  the  state,  to  be  organized  and  arranged 
in  regiments  and  brigades,  the  officers  to  be  selected  by 
45 


530  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

the  commander  in  chief,  and  that  this  whole  force  be 
called  the  State  Guard. 

"  Provision  should  likewise  be  made  for  mounting  some 
of  our  heavy  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  a  fixed  and  annual 
appropriation  made  for  the  artillery  in  Charleston,  and 
in  other  parts  of  the  state,  according  to  their  relative  ex- 
penses.— I  have  ordered  the  quarter  master  general,  and 
the  arsenal  keeper  at  Charleston,  the  latter- am  expe- 
rienced officer  of  artillery,  to  repair  to  this  place,  to 
attend,  in  consultation,  subcommittees  of  your  respective 
bodies,  in  reference  to  the  condition  of  their  several  de- 
partments. 

"  I  would  moreover,  recommend  that  the  President  be 
requested  to  direct  tne  removal  of  the  United  States' 
troops  now  in  garrison  in  the  state  citadel  in  Charleston, 
which  they  now  occupy,  at  the  conjoint  instance,  and 
request  of  the  state  and  city  authorities,  «s  the  accommo- 
dations of  that  post  are  much  wanted  for  our  own  arm? 
and  munitions.  I  would  also  suggest,  that  after  the  cita 
del  is  thus  returned  to  the  state,  and  the  public  store, 
belonging  to  the  state  are  deposited  there,  that  the  maga 
zine  guard  be  removed  from  the  Neck,  to  garrison  thi 
post,  and  that  a  daily  guard  be  detached  from  it  to  th 
magazine,  and  that  the  guard  be  augmented  to  sixty 
men,  and  that  the  appointment  of  its  officers,  and  genera* 
disposition  and  organization,  be  under  the  orders  and 
authority  of  the  commander-in-chief. 

I  should  consider  myself,  gentlemen,  as  recreant  to 
my  trust,  if  I  did  not  recommend  to  you  these  provisions, 
or  the  adoption  of  those  of  much  wiser  import  that  may 
suggest  themselves  to  you,  and  which  may  be  necessary 
to  the  public  safety  and  public  honour,  however  impro- 
bable the  contingency  of  their  ever  being  required.  It 
is  not  enough  that  a  people  may  be  right  in  the  struggle 
for  their  privileges  and  liberties,  but  they  must  have  the 
means  of  securing  their  safety  by  ample  resources,  for 
repelling  force  by  force. 

"  I  cannot,  however,  but  think,  that  on  a  calm  and  dis- 
passionate review  by  Congress,  and  the  functionaries  of 
the  General  Government,  of  the  true  merits  of  this  contro- 
versy, that  the  arbitration  by  a  call  of  a  convention  of  all 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  531 

the  St  .es,  which  we  sincerely  and  anxiously  seek  and 
desire,  will  be  accorded  to  us. 

"  To  resort  to  force,  is  at  once  to  prefer  a  dissolution 
of  the  Union  to  its  preservation.  South  Carolina  has  de 
clared  that  she  admits  of  no  arbiters  but  her  co-states 
assembled  with  her  in  their  sovereign  capacity — to 
deny  to  her  this  reference,  is  to  admit  that  our  league 
has  no  conservative  principle,  short  of  an  appeal  to  the 
sword — to  suppose  when  one  of  our  most  prominent  ob- 
jections to  the  protective  system  is  its  unconstitutionality, 
that  this  and  the  other  vexatious  and  conflicting  questions 
of  constitutional  power,  which  now  convulse  the  whole 
country,  are  not  susceptible  of  compromise  or  adjustment 
in  an  assembly  of  equivalent  authority  to  that  which 
formed  the  constitution,  is  to  affirm  that  that  spirit  of 
amity  and  justice,  without  which  the  Union  would  be  a 
revolting  and  compulsory  league,  is  utterly  extinct. 

"  But  be  this  as  it  may,  whatever  may  be  the  issue  of 
this  unhappy  controversy,  relying  on  the  intelligence  and 
spirit  of  a  free  and  gallant  people,  on  the  imperishable 
truth  and  sacred  character  of  our  rights,  let  us  advance 
with  an  unfaltering  heart  and  a  steady  step  to  the  per- 
formance of  our  duty  to  our  country.  On  your  delibera- 
tions I  fervently  invoke  the  blessings  of  Almighty  God. 

J.  HAMILTON,  Jr." 

"  Columbia,  Nov.  27,  1832." 

'  An  Ordinance  to  nullify  certain  acts  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  purporting  to  be  laws  laying 
duties  and  imposts  on  the  importation  of  foreign  com- 
modities. 

"  Whereas,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  by  va- 
rious acts,  purporting  to  be  acts  laying  duties  and  imposts 
on  foreigr  imports,  but  in  reality  intended  for  the  pro- 
tection of  domestic  manufactures  and  the  giving  of  boun- 
ties to  classes  and  individuals  engaged  in  particular 
employments,  at  the  expense  and  to  the  injury  and  op- 
pression, of  other  classes  and  individuals,  and  by  wholly 
exempting  from  taxation  certain  foreign  commodities, 
such  as  are  not  produced  or  manufactured  in  the  United 
States,  to  afford  a  pretext  for  imposing  higher  and  execs- 


532  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY 

sive  duties  on  articles  similar  to  those  intended  to  be 
protected,  hath  exceeded  its  just  powers  under  the  con- 
stitution, which  confers  on  it  no  authority  to  afford  such 
protection,  and  hath  violated  the  true  meaning  and  intent 
of  the  constitution,  which  provides  for  equity  in  imposing 
the  burdens  of  taxation  upon  the  several  states  and 
portions  of  the  confederacy.  And,  whereas  the  said 
Congress,  exceeding  its  just  power  to  impose  taxes  and 
collect  revenue,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  and  accom- 
plishing the  specific  objects  and  purposes  which  the  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  authorizes  it  to  effect  and 
accomplish,  hath  raised  and  collected  unnecessary  reve- 
nue, for  objects  unauthorized  by  the  constitution: 

"  We,  therefore,  the  People  of  the  State  of  South  Caro- 
lina in  Convention  assembled,  do  declare  and  ordain,  and 
it  is  hereby  declared  and  ordained,  that  the  several  acts 
and  parts  of  acts  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
purporting  to  be  laws  for  the  imposing  of  duties  and  im- 
posts on  the  importation  of  foreign  commodities,  and  now 
having  actual  operation  and  effect  within  the  United 
States,  and  more  especially  an  act  entitled  "  an  act  in 
alteration  of  the  several  acts  imposing  duties  on  im- 
ports," approved  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  May,  one 
thousand  eight-hundred  and  twenty-eight ;  and  also  an 
act  entitled  "  an  act  to  alter  and  amend  the  several  acts 
imposing  duties  on  imports,"  approved  on  the  fourteenth 
day  of  July,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-two, 
are  unauthorized  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
and  violate  the  true  meaning  and  intent  thereof,  and  are 
null,  void,  and  no  law,  nor  binding  upon  this  State,  its 
officers,  or  citizens  ;  and  all  promises,  contracts,  and  ob- 
ligations, made  or  entered  into,  or  to  be  made,  or  enter- 
ed into,  with  purpose  to  secure  the  duties  imposed  by 
the  said  acts,  and  all  judicial  proceedings  which  shall 
be  hereafter  had  in  affirmance  thereof,  are,  and  shall 
be  held  utterly  null  and  void : 

"  And  it  is  further  ordained,  that  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
any  of  the  constituted  authorities,  whether  of  this  State 
or  the  United  States,  to  enforce  the  payment  of  duties 
imposed  by  the  said  acts  within  the  limits  of  this  State  ; 
but  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  tho  Legislature  to  adopt 


OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  533 

Such  measures,  and  pass  such  acts,  as  may  be  necessary  to 
give  full  effect  to  this  ordinance,  and  to  prevent  the  en- 
forcement, and  arrest  the  operation,  of  the  said  acts  and 
parts  of  acts  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
within  the  limits  of  this  State,  from  and  after  the  first 
day  of  February  next,  and  the  duty  of  all  other  consti- 
tuted authorities,  and  of  all  persons  residing  or  being 
within  the  limits  of  this  State,  and  they  are  hereby  re- 
quired and  enjoined  to  obey  and  give  effect  to  this  Ordi- 
nance and  such  acts  and  measures  of  the  Legislature,  as 
may  be  passed  or  adopted  in  obedience  thereto : 

"  And  it  is  further  ordained,  that  in  no  case  of  law  or 
equity,  decided  in  the  Courts  of  this  State,  wherein  shall 
be  drawn  in  question  the  authority  of  this  Ordinance,  or 
the  validity  of  such  act  or  acts  of  the  Legislature  as  may 
be  passed,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  effect  thereto,  or  the 
validity  of  the  aforesaid  acts  of  Congress,  imposing  du- 
ties, shall  any  appeal  be  taken  or  allowed  to  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  nor  shall  any  copy  of  the 
record  be  permitted  or  allowed  for  that  purpose;  and  if 
any  such  appeal  shall  be  attempted  to  be  taken,  the 
Courts  of  this  State  shall  proceed  to  execute  and  enforce 
their  judgments,  according  to  the  laws  and  usages  of 
the  State,  without  reference  to  such  attempted  appeal, 
and  the  person  or  persons  attempting  to  take  such  ap- 
peal may  be  dealt  with  as  for  a  contempt  of  the  Court. 

"  And  it  is  further  oidaine.d,  That  all  persons  now 
holding  any  office  of  honour,  profit,  or  trust,  civil  or  mil- 
•tary,  under  this  State  (members  of  the  Legislature  shall 
prescribe,  take  an  oath,  well  and  truly  to  obey,  excute, 
and  enforce  this  Ordinance,  and  such  act  or  acts  of  the 
Legislature  as  may  be  passed  in  pursuance  thereof,  ac- 
cording to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  same,  and 
on  the  neglect  or  omission  of  any  such  person  or  persons 
so  to  do  this,  their  office  or  offices  shall  be  forthwith  va- 
cated, and  shall  be  filled  up  as  if  such  person  or  persons 
were  dead,  or  had  resigned,  and  no  person  hereafter 
elected  to  any  office  of  honour,  profit  or  trust,  civil  or 
military  (members  of  the  Legislature  excepted,)  shall, 
until  the  Legislature  shall  otherwise  provide  and  direct, 
enter  on  the  execution  of  his  office,  or  be  in  any  respect 
46* 


534  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY. 

competent  to  the  duties  thereof,  until  he  shall,  in  like 
manner,  have  taken  a  similar  oath ;  and  no  jury  shall 
be  impannelled  in  any  of  the  Courts  of  this  State,  in  any 
cause  in  which  shall  be  in  question  this  Ordinance,  of 
any  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  in  pursuance  thereof, 
unless  he  shall  first,  in  addition  to  the  usual  oath,  have 
taken  an  oath  that  he  will  well  and  truly  obey,  execute, 
and  enforce,  this  Ordinance,  and  such  act  or  acts  of  the 
Legislature  as  may  be  passed  to  carry  the  same  into 
operation  and  effect,  according  to  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  thereof: 

"  And  we,  the  people  of  South  Carolina,  to  the  end,  that 
it  may  be  fully  understood  by  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  people  of  the  co-States,  that  we  are 
determined  to  maintain  this,  our  ordinance  and  dec- 
laration, at  every  hazard,  do  further  declare,  that  we  will 
not  submit  to  the  application  of  force,  on  the  part  of  tho 
Federal  Government,  to  reduce  this  State  to  obedience ; 
but  that  we  will  consider  the  passage,  by  Congress, 
of  any  act,  authorizing  the  employment  of  military  or 
naval  force  against  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  her  con- 
stituted authorities  or  citizens  ;  or  any  act  abolishing  or 
closing  the  ports  of  this  State  or  any  of  them,  or  other- 
wise obstructing  the  free  ingress  and  egress  of  vessels, 
to  and  from  the  said  ports  ;  or  any  other  act  on  the  part 
of  the  Federal  Government,  to  coerce  the  State,  shut  up 
her  ports,  destroy  or  harass  her  commerce,  or  to  enforce 
the  acts  hereby  declared  to  be  null  and  void,  otherwise 
than  through  the  civil  tribunals  of  the  country,  as  incon- 
sistent with  the  longer  continuance  of  South  Carolina  in 
the  Union  ;  and  that  the  people  of  this  State  will  thence- 
forth hold  themselves  absolved  from  all  further  obliga- 
tion to  maintain  or  preserve  their  political  connexion 
with  the  people  of  the  other  States,  and  will  forthwith 
proceed  to  organize  a  separate  government :  and  do  all 
other  acts  and  things,  which  sovereign  and  independ- 
ent States  may  of  right  do." 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1833,  Andrew  Jackson  was  du* 
ly  inducted  into  office  «as  President,  and  Martin  Van 
Buren  as  Vice  President,  for  the  ensuing  term  of  four 
years. 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  535 


Tour  of  the  President,  in  1833 

THE  travels  of  national  executives,  whether  in  Mo- 
narchical Europe,  or  Republican  America,  excite  much 
attention,  furnishing  the  subject  matter  of  many  columns 
in  the  public  papers,  and  food  for  much  private  gossip. 
The  sayings  and  doings  of  bodies  corporate  and  incorpo- 
rate— the  bills  of  expense — the  replies  to  loyal  and  pom- 
pous addresses — the  various  travels,  parades,  and  "  moving 
accidents,"  serve  to  gratify  curiosity,  and  "  kill  time,"  that 
ever  vigilant  enemy  to  the  idle  and  thoughtless.  That  a 
tour  of  observation  might,  if  properly  conducted,  be  a 
source  of  much  real  benefit  to  our  country,  is  freely  ad- 
mitted ;  but  that  a  race  against  time,  through  crowds  of 
soldiers,  citizens,  and  bevies  of  females,  can  answer  any 
valuable  national  purpose,  is  entirely  beyond  our  feeble 
ken. 

We  give  below,  a  sketch  of  the  travels  of  the  President 
and  his  party,  and  a  more  particular  detail  of  the  events 
of  his  sojourn  in  New  York,  for  obvious  reasons.  First, 
and  all  sufficient,  we  give  as  a  reason,  that  six  pages  is  all 
which  we  can  occupy  on  this  subject.  Secondly,  the  sub- 
stance of  all  the  honours  paid  him  in  his  route,  may  be 
gathered  from  these  particulars,  if  we  except  the  diploma 
constituting  him  L.  L>  D.>  conferred  on  him  by  the  Cam- 
bridge University. 

We  could  urge  an  objection  against  the  increasing  evil 
of  aping  the  empty  pageantry  of  eastern  countries,  but  we 
leave  to  the  good  sense  of  our  readers  to  gather  the  moral 
from  the  fact. 

The  whole  route  extended  from  Washington  city  to 
Concord,  Massachusetts.  On  the  6th  of  June,  he  was 
received  with  every  demonstration  of  respect  by  the  consti- 
tuted authorities  of  Baltimore,  thirty-six  miles  from  Wash- 
ington. Of  his  reception  in  Philadelphia,  the  Pennsylva- 
nian  thus  speaks  : — 

"  Altogether,  the  reception  of  the  President  in  this  city,  h«l 
been  equal  in  enthusiasm  to  that  of  Lafayette  in  1824.  The 
feeling  pervaded  all  classes ;  no  coldness  was  manifest 


536  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

any.  There  seemed  to  be  a  general  effort  to  be  foremost  in 
rendering  honour  to  him  to  whom  honour  is  due,  The  hostility 
lately  manifested  against  him  and  his  patriotic  efforts,  has 
melted  away  like  frost  before  the  sun,  and  the  people  have 
proved,  that  although  gratitude  may  have  slumbered,  it  is  not 
dead;  that  although  they  were  temporarily  misled,  they  are 
not  to  be  kept  from  the  right  path." 

The  following  account  is  copied  from  a  daily  paper, 
published  in  New  York  : — 

RECEPTION  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 

THE  DAY. 

Never,  within  our  recollection,  have  we  experienced  more 
beautiful  weather  than  yesterday.  The  previous  rain  had 
laid  the  dust,  and  the  streets  through  which  the  procession 
was  to  pass,  being  swept,  and  in  the  best  possible  order,  every 
thing  conspired  to  facilitate  the  previous  arrangements,  The 
wind  blew  a  gentle  breeze,  -sufficient  for  the  various  craft 
under  way  to  work  lively,  and  the  temperature  was  neither 
too  hot  nor  too  cold  for  comfort. 

THE  SHIPPING. 

At  sunrise  the  flags  were  displayed  from  Ine  forests  of 
masts  that  crowd  our  wharves :  and  from  every  liberty  poie, 
the  principal  hotels,  and  flag  staffs,  the  American  flag  was 
seen  waving.  A  number  of  vessels  in  the  stream  were  beau- 
tifully dressed  with  the  flags  of  all  nations. 

PREPARATIONS. 

The  city  appeared  alive,  from  sunrise  to  sunset.  The  mili- 
tary were  all  under  arms  at  10  A.  M.,  parading  the  streets  ; 
crowds  followed,  and  every  thing  had  the  appearance  of  a 
gala  day.  At  noon,  business  was  wholly  suspended ;  me- 
chanics, artisans,  and  labourers,  all  left  their  work.  The 
Exchange  and  Wall  street,  was  nearly  deserted,  and  a  large 
concourse  were  seen  moving  to  the  great  centre,  Broadway. 
The  Battery,  and  Broadway  to  the  Park,  with  all  the  wharves, 
vessels,  tops  and  windows  of  houses,  appeared  black  with 
the  population  of  the  city.  Every  carriage,  cart,  stage, 
wagon,  and  other  vehicle,  appeared  to  have  got  into  Broad- 
way, both  sides  of  which  were  lined  to  such  a  degree,  that  it 
appeared  impossible  to  move.  In  the  centre  of  the  street  a 
fcmall  line  was  kept  open  for  the  procession  to  pass. 

PROGRESS. 

The  President  with  his  escort  reached  Tr/?nton  at  10 
9'slook  j  crowds  of  inhabitants  flocked  to  see  .um :  he  then 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  537 

accompanied  by  his  suite,  proceeded  to  Amboy,  where  the 
splendid  Steamboat  North  America  was  in  waiting  to  receive 
him.  The  Committee  of  the  Corporation  had  accompanied 
the  President  from  Philadelphia,  but  until  he  embarked  on 
board  the  North  America,  he  did  not  put  himself  under  their 
charge.  Here  the  various  Committees  received  him,  and 
they  took  their  departure  for  New  York,  taking  the  outside 
passage  down  the  Bay,  and  up  through  the  Narrows.  The 
Vice  President,  the  city  authorities,  the  foreign  consuls  to  our 
port,  and  many  distinguished  citizens,  embarked  in  the 
North  America,  to  welcome  the  President  on  his  arrival  in 
this  State. 

The  Telegraph  from  the  lower  station  announced  from 
time  to  time  their  progress. 

The  Steamboats  Ohio,  Rufus  King,  and  Hercules,  filled 
with  passengers,  got  under  way  at  the  same  time,  and  accom- 
panied the  North  America  to  Amboy  and  back  to  the  city. 

APPROACH  TO  THE  CITY. 

As  soon  as  the  fleet  of  Steamboats  and  water  craft  passed 
the  Narrows,  they  were  in  full  view  from  the  city.  The  North 
America,  elegantly  dressed  with  flags  from  stem  to  stern,  led 
the  van.  The  Ohio,  dressed  in  the  same  manner,  followed 
next,  then  a  number  of  other  Steamboats,  Revenue  Cutters, 
Pilot  Boats,  and  a  great  number  of  small  craft,  all  approached 
the  city  with  a  brisk  breeze,  and  a  favorable  tide.  As  they 
passed  the  Narrows,  Bedlow's  and  Governor's  Islands,  the 
salutes  commenced.  The  two  Dutch  ships  in  the  stream  paid 
a  similar  compliment,  and  the  President  approached  the  city 
amid  the  roar  of  artillery.  The  scene  was  one  of  great 
oeauty  and  splendour,  and  not  surpassed  in  several  years, 
except  by  the  landing  of  General  Lafayette. 

THE  LANDING. 

At  four  o'clock  precisely  the  Steamboat  North  America 
was  placed  alongside  Castle  Garden,  and  the  General  landed. 
He  was  accompanied  by  Governor  Cass,  Mr.  Woodbury, 
Mr.  McLean,  Major  Donaldson,  and  Colonel  Earl.  Castle 
Garden  was  well  filled  to  receive  him  ;  the  battery,  windows, 
houses,  trees,  wharves,  and  vessels,  appeared  a  dense  popu- 
lation. He  was  conducted  by  the  delegated  authorities  to  the 
Grand  Saloon  in  the  Garden,  which  had  been  tastefully  and 
appropriately  fitted  up  for  the  occasion.  Shortly  after,  he 
appeared  on  the  piazza  in  front,  accompanied  by  the  Mayor 
of  the  city.  Here  the  acclamations  of  those  present  rent  the 
air,  whilst  the  President,  by  bowing  and  gestures,  acknoW' 


538  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY  OF 

ledged  his  sense  of  the  enthusiasm  which  his  presence  excited. 

The  different  military  corps  were  stationed  on  the  Battery ; 
they  mustered  in  such  number,  that  the  people,  who  claim 
the  Battery  as  theirs  by  a  kind  of  pre-emptive  right,  were 
almost  excluded  from  it,  or  cramped  up  in  so  small  a  space, 
that  they  had  but  a  poor  opportunity  to  witness  the  arrival  of 
the  President.  The  approaches  to  Castle  Garden  were  com- 
pletely closed,  and  hundreds  of  citizens  and  their  families 
prevented  obtaining  admission  there. 

About  half  an  hour  expired  before  the  President  left  the 
Garden. 

THE  ACCIDENT. 

When  it  was  announced  that  the  President  had  landed, 
some  of  the  military  on  the  Battery  made  a  movement,  by 
which  the  citizens  who  had  assembled  to  witness  his  arrival, 
became  completely  wedged  up — their  escape  was  impossible, 
and  for  them  to  remain,  intolerable.  A  large  number,  there- 
fore, for  relief,  took  shelter  in  front  of  the  entrance  to  Castle 
Garden  Bridge,  which  had  previously  been  kept  compara- 
tively free ;  and  there  they  remained,  until  orders  wrere  given 
to  clear  the  entrance,  by  opening  to  the  right  and  left,  for  the 
purpose  of  affording  an  egress  to  the  President  and  his  suite. 
This  was  done  in  such  a  manner,  that  a  number  of  persons, 
who  had  no  other  means  of  avoiding  the  cavalry  to  whom 
the  duty  was  assigned,  clambered  up  on  the  top  of  the  ticket 
offices,  which  were  slight  erections,  covering  the  end  of  the 
Castle  Garden  Bridge,  contiguous  to  the  Battery.  Upon  the 
appearance  of  the  President  on  the  bridge  leading  from  the 
Castle,  attended  by  his  suite  and  a  considerable  number  of  citi- 
zens, the  rush  from  without  was  such,  that,  with  the  accumula- 
ted weight  of  the  whole,  the  string  pieces  extending  from  the 
fifth  abutment  of  the  bridge  to  the  Battery  wall  gave  way, 
precipitating  those  on  the  top  of  these  slightly  framed  offices, 
upon  the  persons  collected  below.  At  this  time  the  President 
had  passed  safe,  though  not  more  than  his  horse's  length. 
Those  in  the  rear  were  not  so  fortunate ;  the  end  of  the 
string  pieces  of  the  bridge  slipping  from  the  Battery  wall, 
this  entire  part  fell  into  the  river,  and  with  it  a  number  of 
individuals.  The  water  not  being  deep,  in  consequence  of 
the  filling  up  with  stone  to  protect  the  wall  from  the  effects 
of  the  current,  none  were  in  danger  of  being  drowned,  yet 
many  were  thrown  into  -the  water ;  and  several,  though  not 
severely,  were  materially  injured. 

Among  those  who  fell  with  the  bridge,  were  Gov.  Cass, 
Major  Donaldson,  and  Colonel  Earl.  How  it  happened  that 
no  lives  were  lost,  and  no  more  injuries  incurred,  it  is  very 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  539 

difficult  to  imagine.  We  have  heard  of  several  remarkable 
escapes.  When  the  bridge  fell,  two  of  our  informants  had  a 
full  view  of  the  scene,  at  the  moment  of  the  accident.  The 
ticket  boxes  seemed  to  be  torn  or  crushed  in,  and  the  people 
who  crowded  their  tops,  as  well  as  those  within,  were  precipi- 
tated into  the  river.  One  of  the  keepers  had  the  singular 
presence  of  mind,  on  hearing  the  crashing  of  timber,  to 
seize  his  money  drawer,  which  he  saved,  although  he  fell  with 
the  mass,  got  wet,  and  was  involved  with  the  crowrd  in  the 
common  dangers.  One  gentlemen  was  saved  from  no  less 
imminent  danger.  He  had  taken  his  stand  at  the  gateway, 
to  see  the  procession  pass,  and  was  leaning  against  one  of 
the  gate  posts  when  the  bridge  fell.  The  gate,  which  is  of 
iron,  and  must  be  of  great  weight,  falling  over,  carried  him 
with  it  into  the  water,  bruising  his  shoulder  slightly,  but  doing 
him  no  further  injury.  He  was  sensible  of  nothing  further, 
until  he  found  himself  middle  deep  in  water. 


The  troops,  under  the  command  of  Major-General  Morton, 
were  more  numerous,  and  made  a  better  military  appearance, 
than  we  have  ever  before  seen.  They  were  drawn  up  in  line 
on  the  battery,  and  the  President  reviewed  them  on  horse- 
back. He  appeared  to  catch  much  of  the  military  ardour 
of  the  occasion,  and  went  through  the  whole  with  apparent 
ease  and  pleasure. 

MARCH  THROUGH  THE  CITY. 

This  was  the  most  unpleasant  part  of  the  whole  duty. 
There  was  such  a  dense  body  of  human  flesh,  that  it  seemed 
impossible  to  get  through  it.  Broadway,  from  the  Battery  to 
the  City  Hall,  was  lined  on  both  sides  with  carts,  wagons, 
carriages,  and  stages,  all  filled  with  persons ;  the  sidewalks, 
balconies,  steps,  doors,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  main  street, 
was  packed  with  men,  women,  and  children  ;  every  window, 
housetop,  fence  and  tree,  was  filled  ;  and  in  fact,  so  dense  was 
the  population,  that  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  the 
President,  surrounded  as  he  was  by  a  guard  of  horsemen, 
could  make  any  progress. 

As  he  left  the  battery,  and  proceeded  up  slowly  through 
Broadway,  followed  by  all  the  military,  there  appeared  to  be 
a  crowd  of  some  two  or  three  thousand  who  were  determined 
to  keep  up  with  him,  and  wrho,  to  accomplish  their  objecL 
paid  no  respect  to  age  or  sex,  but  rushed  through  the  crowd 
like  a  torrent.  The  President  rode  uncovered,  and  as  he 
passed,  was  constantly  cheered  by  all  classes.  The  ladies, 
generally,  waved  their  white  handkerchiefs^and  the  Pr?fif3ent 


#40  UNIVERSAL  HISTORY. 

constantly  bowed  on  both  sides.  When  the  military  reached 
St.  Paul's,  Broadway  above  was  packed  with  horses,  carts, 
&c.  &c. ;  not  even  force  could  clear  a  passage,  and  the  proces- 
sion took  the  right,  up  Chatham  Row,  and  entered  the  Park 
opposite  Tammany  Hall. 

CEREMONY  AT  THE  HALL. 

On  reaching  the  front  of  the  City  Hall,  the  Park  and 
whole  avenue,  containing  acres,  was  filled  by  a  dense  mass 
of  people,  all  anxious  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  President, 
who  was  stationed  in  front  of  the  Hall,  and  the  whole  military 
passed  him  in  review ;  he  repaired  to  the  Balcony,  where 
full  fifty  thousand  persons  had  a  view,  although  distant,  of  his 
person,  which  appeared  to  be  the  tallest  on  the  balcony. 
He  then  repaired  to  the  American  Hotel,  where  splendid 
apartments  were  provided  for  his  reception.  From  his  apart- 
ments, there  he  again  repeatedly  greeted  the  surrounding 
crowd,  and  until  night  closed,  was  cheered  by  the  huzzas  of 
the  people.  In  the  evening,  the  theatres  and  other  places  of 
public  amusement  were  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  adorned 
with  appropriate  transparencies. 

On  the  14th,  the  President  left  New  York  in  a  steamer, 
for  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  sixty-three  miles  distant. 
After  receiving  the  usual  honours,  he  visited  New  Haven, 
Hartford,  Middletown,  and  other  places  of  some  note  on 
his  way  to  Boston,  at  which  place  he  arrived  on  the  21st. 
Here,  we  need  not  add,  he  received  a  suitable  and  gratify- 
ing welcome. 

His  ill  health  was  the  probable  cause  of  a  speedy  return 
to  Washington,  where  hfl  arrived  in  the  beginning  of 
July. 

Black  Hawk,  his  son,  and  the  Prophet,  captives  retain- 
ed as  hostages  by  the  United  States,  since  the  war  with  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes',  in  1832,  proceeded  on  the  same  route 
travelled  by  the  President,  as  far  as  New  York,  whence 
they  were  conducted  by  way  of  Albany  and  Detroit,  to 
their  place  of  destination. 

Soon  after  the  return  of  the  President  to  Washington, 

die  state  of  his  health  rendered  a  journey  to  the  Kip-Raps 

advisable.     He  went,  and,  his  health  being  restored,  he 

seat  of  government,  and  now,  "  lucnard's 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth,  education,  and  early  life  of  Columbus — Discoveries  by  Co- 
lumbus, and  others,             .        .  ~      .        .        ...  .        5 

CHAPTER  II. 

From  the  Settlement  of  Jamestown,  to  the  Embarcation  of  the 

Plymouth  Company. 

Voyage  of  Captain  Newport,    .....  13 

Attack  of  the  Natives,         .            .            .            .            .  .14 

Captain  Smith  tried  and  acquitted,        ....  15 

Return  of  Captain  Newport  to  England,     .            .            .  .    ib. 

Distresses  of  the  Colonists,         .....  ib. 

Their  dissensions,                .            .            .            .            .  .    ih. 

Captain  Ratcliff  made  President,          .  .  .  .16 

Fortifications  erected  at  Jamestown,            .            .            .  .    ib. 

A  conspiracy  detected  in  the  Colony,                 ...  17 

The  Indians  capture  Captain  Smith,          .             .             .  .    ib 

Smith  liberated  by  Pocahontas,               .             .             .  ib. 

More  settlers  and  provisions  arrive,              .            .            .  .18 

Delusion  respecting  gold  dust,                .             .             .             .  ib. 

First  remittance  to  England,            .            .            .            .  .19 

Exploring  party  visits  the  Susquehannah,           .             .             .  ib. 

First  females  arrive  in  the  country,              .             .             .  .20 

New  charter,  and  increase  of  settlers,                                            .  21 

Disputes  respecting  precedency,       .             .             .             .  .2*2 

Distresses  by  famine — relieved,               ....  23 

Sir  T.  Dale  arrives  with  men  and  provisions,          .            .  .24 

Another  new  charter  issued,      .....  ib. 

Lotteries  first  granted  in  England,  for  the  benefit  of  the  settlements,  ib. 

Mr.  Rolfe  marries  Pocahontas,        .            .            .            .  .25 

Land  allotted  to  individuals,       .....  ib. 

Edicts  against  raising  Tobacco,       .             .             .             .  .    io. 

Martial  law  declared,      ......  26 

Tyranny  of  the  Deputy  Governor,              .             .             .  .    ib. 

Sabbath  laws,  and  penalty  for  breach  thereof— punishment  by  slavery,  ib. 

First  colonial  assembly  convened,            ....  27 

Females  transported,  and  sold  for  wives;  their  price,             .  .    ib. 

First  convicts  transported,         .....  28 

CHAPTER  III. 

From  the  Embarcation  of  the  Plymouth  Company,  to  the  dose  of 

the  Pequot  War. 

King's  Letters  Patent — boundaries,             .  .    28 

Settlers  embark  at  Southampton,           .            .            .  ib. 

Colonists  land  at  Cape  Cod,             .             .             .             .  .29 

Sabbath  first  observed  in  New-England,             ...  30 

Great  mortality  in  Plymouth  colony,           .            .            .  .    ib. 


n  CONTENTS. 

Governor  Carver  dies,  Mr.  Bradford  succeeds,               .            .  31 

Evils  threatened  by  Indians  and  famine,      .            .            .  .32 

Public  Fast,  and  Thanksgiving  appointed,         ...  33 

Virginia  Company  form  a  constitution,       .            .            .  .    ib. 

Massacre  in  Virginia,     ......  35 

Great  drought  in  Plymouth,             .            .            .            .  .    ib. 

Charlestown  settled,       ......  36 

Fifteen  hundred  people  arrive  at  Salem,      .            .            .  .    ib. 

John  Winthrop  made  Governor,            .            .            .  ib. 

Churches  established,           .            .            .            .            .  .    37 

Arrival  of  Messrs.  Haynes,  Stone,  and  Hooker,          .            .  ib. 

Connecticut  river  discovered,           .            .            .            .  .38 

Difficulty  with  the  Dutch  at  Hartford,               ...  39 

Ravages  of  the  Smallpox,                .            .            .            .  .    ib. 

Connecticut  settled — sufferings,              ....  40 

First  Court  holden  in  Connecticut,              .            .            .  .41 

Charter  of  Connecticut  obtained,           .            .            .  ib. 

Indian  murders,       .            .             .            .            .            .  .    ib. 

Captain  Stone,  and  John  Oldham,  murdered,     ...  42 

Reprisals  on  the  Indians,     .            .            .            .            .  .    43 

I  ndian  ambuscade  at  Saybrook,               .                          .             .  ib. 

Enterprise  under  Captain  Mason,                .             .            .  .45 

Attack  on  a  Pequot  fort,  .  .  .  .  .52 

The  fort  and  wigwams  burnt,          .             .             .             .  .    ib. 

The  Dutch  restore  two  captive  maids  taken  by  the  Pequots,  and 

saved  by  means  of  a  squaw,  .  .  .  .56 

Battle  with  the  Indians  at  Fairfield,             .             .             .  .58 

The  triple  alliance  at  Hartford,               ....  60 

Thanksgiving,  on  account  of  Peace,            .            .            .  .61 

New- Haven  discovered,             .            .            .            .            .  ib. 

Earthquake  in  New-England,         .            .            .            .  .    ib. 

Increase  of  settlements  in  Connecticut,  .  .  .62 

Portsmouth  and  Exeter  settled,        .            .            .            .  .63 

New-Hampshire  separated  from  Massachusetts,            .            .  64 

Rhode  Island  purchased  of  the  Indians,      .             .            .  .66 

First  permanent  settlement  in  Maine,                .            .  ib. 

Vermont  declared  an  independent  state,       .            .            .  .69 

Remarks  on  the  religion  of  the  colony,               ...  70 

duakets  made  their  first  appearance,          .            .            .  .71 

First  Baptist  Church  in  America,          .            .            .  ib. 

Manners  and  customs,     .                 .            .            •            •  .    ib. 

Prohibiting  the  use  of  tooacco,               .            .            .  ib. 

Agriculture  and  commerce,              .            .            .            .  .    72 

Arts  and  inanufactures,              .....  ib. 

Printing  first  introduced,      .            .            .            .            •  .    ib. 

Education  and  p?7sh£cB,                                 .                        .  ib. 

PART  II. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Discovery  and  Progress  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

Hudson's  voyage  and  discoveries,           ....  73 

Sir  Thomas  Dale  and  the  Dutch.  .    ib. 


CONTENTS.  iij 

Grant  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,       ...  74 

Settlement  of  New- Jersey  by  the  Danes,     .            .            .  .    ib. 

Emigration  of  Swedes  and  Finns,         .            .                      •  .  ib. 

Delaware  settled  by  Swedes  and  Finns,      .             .             .  .    ib. 

Maryland  settled  by  Roman  Catholics,                ...  75 

William  Clayborne  excites  rebellion,           .            .            .  .    ib. 

Grant  of  New-Orleans  to  Sir  R.  Heath,            ...  76 

Indigent  subjects  transported  to  Georgia,     .            .            .  .    ib. 

First  house  built  in  Savannah,               .            .            .            .  ib. 

History  of  all  the  colonies  combined,           .             .            .  .    ib. 

Charter  of  Connecticut  read  to  the  freemen,      .            .             .  ib. 

Difficulty  in  collecting  taxes,             .            .            .            .  .    77 

New- York  submits  to  Colonel  Nichols,  ib 

Demand  of  Sir  Edmund  Andross,               .            .            .  '7^ 

Determined  resistance  of  Captain  T.  Bull,        .            .            .  ib. 

Commencement  of  Philip's  war,      .            .            .            .  .    ib. 

Defence  of  a  house  in  Brookfield,           ....  80 

Attacks  of  Indians  on  several  towns,           .            .            .  .81 

Indian  fort  taken  and  destroyed,  with  many  of  the  men,  women, 

and  children,           ......  83 

Death  of  King  Philip,         .            .            .            .            .  .84 

Peace  concluded  with  the  Indians,          .            .            .  ib. 

Form  j>f  Government  by  William  Penn,     .            .            .  .85 

Sir  E.  Andross  demands  the  Connecticut  Charter,  which  is  hidden,  86 

Tyrannical  proceedings  of  Andross,        ....  87 

War  between  France  and  England,             .            .            .  .90 

Massacre  at  Schenectady,           .            .            .            .  ib. 

Casco,  in  Maine,  destroyed,             .            .            ^           .  .91 

An  expedition  fitted  out  against  Canada,           .            .            .  ib. 

Narrative  of  Sir  William  Phipps,                .            .            .  .    ib. 

Hemy  Sloughter  appointed  Governor  of  New- York,    .            .  ib. 

Leisler  and  Melborne  executed,       .            .             .             .  .    ib. 

Colonel  Fletcher  succeeds  Governor  Sloughter,             .            .  ib. 
Governor  Fletcher  demands  the  submission  of  the  Connecticut  mi- 
litia to  his  command,                 .             .            .            .  .    ib. 

A  treaty  between  Great  Britain  and  France,                 .            .  93 

The  surprise  of  Dover,       .            .            .            .            .  .   ib. 

Heroic  act  of  Mr.  Dustan,        .....  94 

Distressing  situation  of  Mrs.  Dustan,  and  other  captives,  .  .    96 

The  Earl  of  Bellamont  appointed  Governor,           .             .  .    ib. 

War  with  the  French,  Indians,  and  Spaniards,             .            .  ib. 

Deerfield  surprised,  and  the  people  killed  and  made  prisoners,  .    97 

Mr.  Williams,  and  other  prisoners,  redeemed,    .            .  ib. 

Expedition  against  Canada,             .            .            .            .  .    ib. 

Nine  transports  lost,       ......  98 

Samuel  Street  appointed  Governor,             .            .            .  .    ib. 

Indian  War  in  South  Carolina,                                                  .  ib. 

Peace  between  France  and  England^           .            .            .  .    ib. 

William  Burnet  appointed  Governor,                ...  99 

Forts  and  trading  houses  built  on  Lake  Ontario,                 .  .    ib, 

Indian  War— Peace  restored,                 ....  100 

Settlement  of  Georgia,        ....  .   ib. 


iv  CONTENTS. 

Disturbance  among  the  Negroes  in  South  Carolina,  .            .         ib. 

War  again  broke  out  between  England  and  France,  .            .  101 

Louisburg  taken  by  the  English,            .            .  .            .         ib. 

Peace  restored  in  1748,         .            .            .            .  .            .103 

CHAPTER  V. 

French  and  Indian  War. 

Causes  which  led  to  this  war,  .  .  .  104 

Washington's  expedition,  ...  .  105 

Braddock's  defeat,  ......        108 

Lord  Loudon  arrives  as  Commander-in-chief,          .  .  .111 

Loss  of  Oswego,  .  .  .  .  .  112 

General  Amherst  arrives  in  America,          ....  121 

Generals  Amherst  and  Wolfe  capture  St.  John's  and  Louisburg,     123 
An  attack  upon  Ticonderoga,     .....        124 

Fort  Frontenac  taken,         ......  127 

Fort  Du  duesne  taken  by  General  Forbes,      .  .  ib. 

Expedition  against  Canada,  .....  128 

Gluebec  taken  by  General  Wolfe,  .  .  .  .131 

Close  of  the  French  and  Indian  war,          .  .  .  .    ib. 

PART  HI. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Causes  which  led  to  the  American  Revolution,  .  .        133 

Several  cargoes  of  tea  destroyed  in  Boston  harbour,  .  .  156 

Battle  of  Lexington,  .....        162 

Ticonderoga  taken  by  the  Americans,         .  .  .  .164 

Battle  of  Bunker's  "Hill, 167 

Washington  appointed  Commander-in-chief  of  the  American  forces,  168 
Falmouth,  in  Massachusetts,  burnt  by  the  English,  .  .  170 

An  attempt  to  storm  Gluebec,  .  .  .  .172 

CHAPTER  VII. 

American  Revolution  continued. 

Boston  evacuated  by  the  British,  .  .  .  .175 

Admiral  Parker  attempts  the  siege  of  Charleston, 
Declaration  of  Independence,          .  .  .  .  179 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

American  Revolution  continued. 
New-York  taken  by  the  British, 
Danbury  destroyed,  .....  185 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Evacuation  of  Canada. 

Carleton's  battle,            ......  186 

Battle  at  Bennington,          ......  190 

Battle  of  Saratoga—Capture  of  Burgoyne,       .           .           .  193 

Battle  of  Brandywine,      .             .           .           .           .  .194 

Capture  of  Philadelphia,            .....  ib. 

Philadelphia  evacuated  by  the  English,      .           .           .  .195 

Battle  at  Monmouth,     ......  ib. 


CONTENTS.  Y 

CHAPTER  X. 

Operations  of  the  Revolution. 

Expedition  of  Captain  Ferguson,          ...  201 

Expedition  of  Colonel  Campbell,  .....  202 
Georgia  occupied  by  the  English,  .  .  .  .  204 

General  movements  at  the  South,  .....  205 
Storming  of  Stoney  Point,  .....  206 
Naval  excursion  of  John  Paul  Jones,  ....  207 
Proceedings  at  the  South.  .  .  208 

British  government  organized  at  South  Carolina,     .  .  .  212 

Movements  of  General  Gates,  ....        215 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Treason  of  Arnold — Andre  taken. 

Count  De  Grasse's  arrival  with  3,300  troops,          .  .  .  222 

Battle  at  Yorktown— fall  of  Cornwallis,  .  .  224 

Cessation  of  hostilities,        ......  228 

Washington's  farewell  orders,    .....        229 

Evacuation  of  New-York,  .....  232 

Parting  scene  between  Washington  and  his  officers,     .  .       233 

Washington  resigns  his  commission  to  Congress,  .       ^    .  234 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Of  the  confederation,  formation,  and  adoption,  of  the  present  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  ....  235 
General  George  Washington  elected  first  President,  .  .  ib. 
Washington's  journey  from  Mount  Vernon  to  New- York,  .  236 
President's  tour  through  New-England,  .  .  .241 
The  first  census  completed  in  1791,  .  .  .  .  244 
A  treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians,  .  .  .  ib. 
War  with  the  Northwestern  Indians,  .  .  .  .  ib. 
General  St.  C lair's  military  operations,  .  .  .  ib. 
General  Wayne's  victory,  .....  245 
General  Washington  re-elected  President,  1792,  .  .  246 
Declaration  of  War  by  France,  against  England  and  Holland,  .  ib. 
Proceedings  of  Congress,  .....  247 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

John  Adams  elected  President,  1797,          .                        .  .  248 

Difficulties  with  France,            .....  ib. 

Death  of  General  Washington — doings  of  the  nation,         .  .  249 

Mr.  Jefferson  chosen  President,  and  Mr.  Burr  Vice  President,  250 

Ohio  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1803,               ...  251 

Tripolitan  war,        .            .           .                     * .            .  .    ib. 

Peace  with  Tripoli,        ......  253 

Mr.  Jefferson  re-elected  President,  Mr.  Clinton  Vice  President,  ib. 

Mr.  Burr's  proceedings,  and  trial,                .            .            .  .    ib. 

Difficulties  on  the  ocean,            .....  254 

James  Madison  elected  President,  Mr.  Clinton  re-elected  Vice  Pre- 
sident, 1809, 256 

War  declared  against  Great  Britain,          »                      .  .  257 


vi  CONTENTS. 

Detroit  taken,         -                                                ...  258 
Naval  proceedings,        -  ib. 
Mr.  Madison  re-elected  President,  and  George  Clinton  Vice  Pre- 
sident, 1813,                            265 

Skirmishes  on  the  sea  coast,      .....       269 
Commodore  Porter's  cruise,  .....  275 

Success  at  the  West,     -  ....        283 

Perry's  Victory,      -  .....  287 

Commodore  Chauncey's  cruise,  -  -        .    -  -        301 

Fort  Minim's  taken,  and  the  garrison  murdered,     -  -  -309 

War  with  the  Indians  at  the  west,         ....       312 
Saybrook  attacked,  and  the  shipping  destroyed,      ,-  -  -  325 

The  British  attempt  landing  at  Stonington,      ...        327 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Operations  of  the  army  on  the  frontier,      ....  340 

Destruction  of  the  capital,         -  ...        349 

The  British  attack  Baltimore— death  of  General  Ross,      -  -  353 

Macdonough's  victory,  -  -  -  -  361 

Hartford  Convention,         -  -  -  -  -  -  363 

The  Creek  war  renewed,  -  -  -  ib. 

General  Jackson  takes  Pensacola,  •  .  -  -  365 

Jackson's  Victory,         -  .....        373 

Peace  with  Great  Britain,  .....  375 

General  view  of  the  United  States,       •  •  -  •          ib. 

View  of  the  Western  States,  ....  379 

Estimate  of  the  population,        .....        384 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

President  Monroe's  Administration,  ....  388 

Mississippi  admitted  into  the  Union,      -  389 

War  with  the  Seminole  Indians,  ....  390 

Arkansas  admitted  into  the  Union,         ....        393 

Mr.  Monroe  re-elected  President,  ....  394 

Lafayette's  landing  at  New- York— his  tour,  -  -        401 

John  duincy  Adams  elected  President,    -  409 

Lafayette's  departure  for  France,  .  -  -  416 

Doings  in  Congress,  -  -  •  -  ••  -419 

Death  of  Adams  and  Jefferson,  ....       423 

Treaty  with  M'Intosh,       -  -  -  -  -  -427 

Remarks  upon  Part  Third,       .....       440 

Jackson  chosen  President,  .....  449 

Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail  Road,  -  -  455 

CHAPTER  XVIL 

A  review  of  the  progress  of  the  Western  States,  -  -  459 

CHAPTER  XVIH. 

Jackson's  Administration,       •  ...       481 


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